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William 1\ I-rknch, 

CLAKENCI-; J. C.UTTICRSON, 



TOWX COMMITTKK. 
Hli S. Burns. 
John W. Crosby, Chairman 
C.EORciK A. Worcester, 



,MRi C. Hutchinson. 
John K. Foster. 



CELEBRATION 

OF the; 

ODe Jlafidredth flDDivepsar y 

OF THE 

INCORPORATION OF fllLFORD, 

NEW HAMPSHIRE, 
JUNE;: 26, 1894:: 

INCLUDING THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMITTEE, 

ADDRESSES, POEM, 

AND OTHER EXERCISES OF THE OCCASION. 



They who never look back to their ancestors will never look forward to posterity. 

Burke. 



MILFORD, 

CABINET PRINT. 

1894. 



■Ml 



r 




FIRST MKKTJNC; HOUSE AND FORMKR TOWN HOUSK. 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 5 

''STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, 1794. 
"In the year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four. 
"An Act to incorporate the Southwesterly part of Amherst, the North- 
westerly part of Hollis, the Mile Slip and Duxhury School farm into a 
toion, and to invest the inhabitants thereof with all such privileges and'-immu- 
nities as other towns in this State hold and enjoy. 

"Wliereas, a petition signed by a number of the inhabitants of the southwesterly part of 
Amherst, the northwesterly part of Hollis, the Mile Slip and Duxbury School farm (so called) 
has been preferred, setting forth that by an act of incorporation passed by the Legislature of this 
State, on the first day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety- 
two, the southwest part of Amherst aforesaid was, by certain boundaries therein described, made 
a parish ; that the tract of land therein contained is too small for a town ; that the inhabitants of 
the Mile Slip and Duxbury School farm aforesaid are unable to support the Gospel, build bridges 
and maintain schools ; that a number of the inhabitants of the northwesterly part of said Hol- 
lis could be better accommodated by being annexed to the southwest parish in Amherst. They, 
therefore, prayed that they might be incorporated and made a body Politic, with all the Corporate 
powers and privileges by law vested in other towns. And the inhabitants of the town of Amherst, 
in legal Town-meeting, having voted their assent to the same ; 

"Therefore, Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court 
Convened, that all the lands and inhabitants within the following limits: viz.. Beginning at the 
southwest comer of the northwest parish in Amherst aforesaid, on Lyndeborough east line, 
thence running easterly to the northeast comer of Amos Green's lot, called the Mill lot ; thence 
southerly on a straight line to the southwest corner of lot No. 20 ; thence easterly on the range 
line to the northeasterly comer of William Peabody's land ; thence southerly on the range line 
between John Shepard, Esq., and William Peabody's land until it comes to land belonging to 
the heirs of John Shepard, late of said Amherst, deceased ; thence easterly to the northeast cor- 
ner of the same, joining to land of the same John Shepard, Esq.; thence southerly, by land of 
John Shepard, Esq., aforesaid, on the range line to Souhegan River ; thence down the middle of 
said River till it strike land owi^ed by Benjamm and Stephen Kindrick ; thence southerly by 
said Kindrick land to the road leading from David Danforth's to the town of Wilton ; thence 
crossing the same and running a south point to Hollis Line, being near David Duncklee house, 
and then to the northeast corner of the land lately laid off from said Hollis by their committee 
appointed for the above purpose ; thence running south about twelve degrees east so as to strike 
the northeast comer of John Steams' land, it being the northwest corner of Robert Colbouu's 
land ; thence on the same course till it comes to the southeast corner of the said Steams' land ; 
thence westerly, by said Stearns' and Wm. Haley land, until it comes to the northwest corner of 
said Haley land, thence westerly to the northeast corner of Mr. Gould's land, and so on westerly, 
by said Gould and David Danforth's land, to said Gould's northwest corner ; thence turning 
southerly to southeast comer of Robert Darrah's land ; thence west fifteen degrees south until it 
comes to Raby east line ; thence northerly on said Raby east line until it comes to the south line 
of said Amherst ; thence northerly on the north line of said Raby to the southwest comer of Am- 
herst ; thence southerly by the west line of Raby to the southeast comer of the Mile Slip ; 
thence westerly to the southwest comer thereof ; thence northerly on east Une of Mason and Wil- 
ton to the northwest comer of the Mile Slip ; thence easterly on the south line of Lyndeborough 
to the southeast comer thereof ; thence northerly by the east line of Lyndeborough to the bound 
first mentioned, Be, and the same are hereby incorporated into a town by the name of Milford ; 
and the inhabitants who reside and shall hereafter reside within the before-mentioned boundaries 
are made and constituted a body politic and corporate, and invested with all the powers, privi- 
leges and immunities which towns in this State bylaw are entitled to enjoy ; to remain a distinct 
town, and have continuance and succession forever. And be it further Enacted that Augustus 
Blanchard, Esquire, be, and he hereby is, authorized and empowered to call a meeting of said in- 
habitants for the purpose of choosing all necessary Town Officers ; and shall preside therein un 
til a Moderator shall be chosen to govern said meeting, which shall be warned by posting up 
notice thereof at the Meeting-House in said Milford, fourteen days prior to the day of holding 
the same, and the annual meetings for the choice of Town Officers shall be holden on the first 
Tuesday of March annually. 

"Provided always that nothing in this act contained shall, in any wise, release the inhabi- 
tants of the said Southwest Parish in Amherst (part of Said Milford) from paying their propor- 
tion of all debts now due from the town of Amherst, or their proportion of the support of the Pres- 
ent Poor of said Town and Parish, or any taxes now assessed on them as inhabitants of the said 
Town of Amherst ; but the same may be levied and collected from the inhabitants of the said 
Southwest Parish (now part of Milford aforesaid) in the same way and manner as if this act had 
not been passed; and the present inhabitants of the said northwesterly part of said town of Hollis 
shall be liable to pay all taxes heretofore assessed on them as inhabitants of the towm of Hollis, 
in the same way and manner as if this act had not been passed. 

"In Senate, January 11, 1794. This bill having had three several readings, passed to be en- 
acted ; sent down for concurrence. 

'"Abiel Foster, President of the Senate. 

"In the House of Representatives, the same day, the foregoing bill, having had a third read- 
ing, was enacted. 

"Nathaniel Peabody, Speaker. 

"Approved nth January, 1794. 

"JosiAH Bartlktt. 

'"A true copy. 

"Attest, Nathaniel Parker, Dep. Sec. 

"Recorded by 

"Augustus Blanchard, Town Clerk." 



NOTE. 

In the compiling of this centennial record we have met with more de- 
lays than we anticipated. Much that occurred on the day of the cele- 
bration it is impossible to reproduce upon a printed page. The most 
that we can do is to make it as perfect as the circumstances will per- 
mit. In this effort we have been aided very largely by those who took 
part in the exercises of the day. 

The addresses, as furnished in MS,, together with the letters, are in 
the main, in the exact form of address or language of the speaker or 
writer. 

I assume full responsibility for the preparation and compilation of 
this book. Whatever errors or inaccuracies may appear belong to me. 

The long time which it has taken to secure the illustrations is the 
cause of the delay of the volume. 

Respectfully, 

W. B. ROTCH. 

MiLFORD, N. H. 




itjUlLi'UiiDi 




GOiilTTEE 




ONE OF THE BAUGKS. 



riilford Centennial Celebration. 



The Selectmen of Milford through their Representatives to tlie Gener- 
al Court of the State of New Hampshire, asked permission for the town 
to appropriate money for the proper celebration of the one hundredth 
anniversary of its incorporation, and the following act was passed : — 

An act authorizhi(/ the Iowa of Mil ford to appropriate money to celebrate the 
centennial of said tomi : — 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court con- 
vened , 

Sfx. I. That the town of Milford in the County of Hillsborough is hereby author- 
ized and empowered to raise, appropriate and expend a sum not ex .'ceding five 
hundred dollars for the purpose of celebrating the centennial of said town. 

Sec. 2. This act shall take effect upon its passage. 

(Approved Feb. i6, 1893.) 

An article was inserted in the warrant for tlie annual town meeting, 
held on Tuesday, March 14, 1898, as follows : " To see if the town will 
vote to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of its incorporation, and 
raise and ai)propriate money for the same." 

The town voted to have a celebration, and chose as a committee to 
have charge of the arrangements, Messrs. J. W. Crosby, J. E. Foster, 
Eli S. Burns, E. C. Hutchinson, H. L. Bartlett, Geo. A. Worcester and 
Clarence J. Gutterson, and raised and appropriated the .sum of iive hun- 
di-ed dollars to defray the expense of the same. 

( At a subsecpient meeting the appropriation was increased to one 
thousand dollars, and W. V. French cliosen a member of the committee, 
in place of H. L. Bartlett, who declined to sei-ve.) 

The committee met in the .selectmen's room in the town house, on 
Saturday, March 25, 1H98, and chose Col. John W. Crosby chairman, 
(ieo. A. Worcester, secretary, and W. F. French treasurer. It was voted 
that the celebration be held during the week commencing June 17, 1894, 
( This date was later changed to the 2Hth.) Also voted that the Hon. C. 
H. Burns of Wilton be invited to deliver the'oration. 



10 MILFORI) CEXTENXTAL CELEBRATION. 



COI'Y OK LETTER TO HON. C. 11. MCHXS. 

:\Iii,i oHi.. X. 11.. Maiu II L'7, ].sn3. 
Hon. C. H. IJ^K^.^, Xasluia. X. II. 

Dear Sir: The Town of Milford, at its last ainiiiii] meetiug, voted 
to celebrate the one hundredth anniversary of its incorporation, and 
chose a committee of seven to make all needed arrangements. That 
committee have organized with Col. .1. \V. CrosV)y as chairman, and 
myself as secretary. 

ITie exact date of the event, coming in the winter (.January 11 ). 
it was decided to have the celebration during the week commencing June 
17, 1894. 

The committee were unanimous in their vote to invite you to deliver 
an oration upon that occasion. If the date .selected does not conform to 
your other engagements we will cliangc it to any other you may select. 

Trusting that you will give this matter your early consideration, I 
remain. 

Very truly yonrs. 

(iKo. A. VVoiu KSTKK, ."secretary. 



To G 



COPY OF REl'LY OF HON. C. 11. Bl'KXS. 

Xashia. N. H., M.vk. 27, 1893. 

it. A WorrrMcr, £.sv/., Secrc.tarji, nnfl Ih'' committee im the celebration 
the (the huiid lodth niinirersar// of' tfi/- inrorp<tratioii uf the Town of' 

1 t:ir...,i . 



Milt 



(tKNTS : I liave receivedyoiir invitation of the 271 h inst.. .saying 
that you have unanimously voted to invite nie to deliver the oration upon 
the celebration of the one hundredth anniversary of the town, and say- 
ing that you have fixed npoii June 17th, 1804. for the celebration. 

In reply, will say that ' accept with great pleasure the invitation, 
and feel very much honored by it, and shall endeavor. Providence per- 
mitting, to deliver the address, and shall hope it will be worthy of the 
great occasion. The time fixed will be agreeable to me. and am specially 
pleased with the invitation at so early a date, as it will give me ample 
opportunity to prepare for it. I am with great respect. 

Verj' tridy yours, 

CiiAS. H. BruNs. 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



The following is a copy of the invitation sent to Milford's absent 
»ous and daughters : 



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X 




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12 



MILFORD CEXTENXIAL CELEBRATION. 



INVITATIOX 'VO AMHERST. 

It was voted to invite the town of Aiuherst to })aiti(;ii)ate in the ex- 
erci.ses, and the following invitation was .sent : 

MiLFORD, N. H., June 27, '94. 

The Toicn of Mil ford to her mother loirn of Amherst aendeth greefhu/ : 

Whkkkas, the town of Milford proposes to celebrate in a fitting 

manner the one hundredtli anniversary of its incorporation, on June 2(5, 

1894, therefore, we do most cordially invite you to l)e officially rejjresent- 

ed upon that occa.sion by such delegation as you may be pleased to send. 

The Centennial Committee. 

•John W. Chosuv. 

Cliairman. 

GkO. A. WoRCKSTKH, 

Secretary. 



Amherst responded to this 
named gentlemen to represent hei 

EdWAKI) 1). BoYLSTUN, 

Ja.mks F. We.ston, 
(4ko. E. Fauley, 
Horace Harvell, 
Alfred J. Mc(iowx, 
Daniel A. Fletcher, 
Isaac B. Douge, 



invitation by electing the following 
at these exerci.ses: 

Edwin K. Buhtt, 
Wm. B. Rotch, 
Geo. W. Bosworth. 
Frank Hartshorn, 
Granville Parker, 
James U. Prince, 
Eugene C. Huwrard. 



MILFORI) CENTKNNIAI. CKLKBRATIOX. 18 



Committees. 



At meetings of the town committee held at sultsequeiit dates, the 
following special committees were apjiointed : 

PRKSIDKM OF THK DAY, 

Judge Robert M. W^allace. 

CHIEF MAKSHAI., 

Col. F. E. Kaley. 

UKCF.PTION. 

John McLane, F. T. Sawyer, F. E. Kaley, ,J. E. Foster, C. E. Knight. 

J. W. Crosby. J. M. Burns, Wm. M. Knowlton, W. ^^^ Howard, 

H. C. Buxton, C. H. V. Smith, M. F. Crosby. 

INVITATIONS, PKINTIN(i AND BADOKS. 

G. A. Worcester. E. C. llutcliinson. 

BANQUET, 

G. V. Tarlton. J. N. Stevens, W. W. Uodge, W. F. French. A. M. Wil- 
son, Mrs. J. E. Webster, Mrs. J. A. Hill, Mrs. R. H. Pierce, 
Mrs. (). II. Fo.ster. 

(JKOINDS AND TEN'I^, 

E. C Hutchinson, (i, A. Worcester. 

PRESS, 

W. B. Rotch. E. E. Hill. E. M. Stanyan. W. W. Hemenway. 

PROGKAMME AND MUSIC. 

F. W. Richiudson. F. W. Farnsworth. C. S. Euhmsoii. Mrs. J. McLaue, 
Mrs. B. F. Fostei-. 

DECORATIONS, 

H. H. Barber. W. A. (iuild, F. W. Sawyer. B. F. Foster, (i. A. Worcester. 

PKOCE.SSION, 

C. E. Kendall, B. R. Came, E. S. Heald, J. T. Young, A. W. Howison, 
H. A. Wilkins, W. R. Howard. (J. W. Tarbell. E. C. Hutchin- 
son, J. C. Merrill, F. B. Bartlett. 

FIRF. WORKS. 

E. C. Hutchinson, .1. McLaue, (J. A. Worcester. 

mCVCI.E PARADE AND RACK, 

L. II. Hall. B. Mills, W. J. Elliott. 

mSTORICAl, I.OAN AND ART «'OLLECTIO.N. 

Mrs. J. McLaue, Mrs. ,1. A. Hill. Mrs. H. U. iiarbcr, Mrs. J. E. Webster, 
Mrs. W. K. Emei-sou. 



Sunday Evening Services. 



According to the invitation of the L-Kiitennial eomtnittee, the various 
ministers of the town prepared a proj^raui. and invited their people an<l 
all interested, to unite in the town hall, on Sunday evening, the 24111, 
for a union service, thus initiating in a very behtting manner, the cen- 
tennial celebration of the week. The Ilev. A. .1. Rich acted as chair- 
man, read the Scriiitnral selections, furnished the original hymn with 
which the service closed, and pronounced the benediction, which Rev. 
.losej)h Manuel wa.s prevented from doing t)y absence from town. Rev. 
F. L. Knapp led the people in a helpful prayer, and a chorus choi 
under the leadership of C. W. Edwai'ds, rendered excellent nmsic. Rev. 
II. P. Peck, having been chosen by his lirethren as pastor of the olde.st 
church on the soil, delivered an address ou the "Past and Fiiture Work 
of the Churches in Milford." 

He began by expressing his satisfaction with the idea of beginning 
the celebration of the first hundred years of our history by a grateful 
recognition of the Invisil)le Hand, which has led us the way, and then 
])roceeded to outline what he conceived to have been the special way in 
which each church has wrought, under this Divine Hand, for the devel- 
uj>ment of the community. He held that the work of the First Congre- 
gational Church, whose first building, now Eagle hall, was erected on 
I'nion Square, at a cost of so much time and sacrifice by the original set- 
tlers, true to its history had been, not only to establish a free form of 
government, but also to ingiaiii into tlie early life of the town, the great 
Hebrew and Rxmian principle of justice and law. Its (iod had been 
stern and holy, in his chief aspect, hence his worshippers, with true Puri- 
tan heroism, sought to engraft the.se qualities, sometimes by force, upon 
church and state. Their great work was to lay foundations of law and 
order without which no country can enjoy permanent prosperity. 

The Baptist Church, established in 1809. has a history older than 
Congregatioiuilism, and has ever stood for the complete liberty of the 
indivitlual under (iod, using the Bible as its only authority, and making 






i 




CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH AND CHAPEL. 



MILFORD CENTf:XNrAL CELEBRATION. 15 

little of mere creeds, V>eiug thus democratic, not only in government, but 
in doctrine. This principle must thus have been wrought into tlie citi- 
zen life of Milford the most of the century, stimulating the sense of in- 
dividual liberty. 

The Methodist Church came into liistory, as everv one knows, as a new 
and living breath of the spirit of (iod, re-animating the cold and lifeless 
church of England, and bringing a new impulse t,o the churches of 
America. This must have stimulated the religions I'etiliug of Milford, 
and quickened it to new life. 

The Catholic Church is the mother of us all, however mucli many 
of her children may have come to differ from her. Shr holds still, with 
all her imperial government and extended ritiuti, to a grand ideal of 
unity, and her influence has been, in the main, in the view of the 
speaker, in favor of law and ordei- in this country. The present A. V. 
A. movement, whose purposes to keep all Rtmran (Catholics (Uit of every 
office within the gift of the [)e(i)>le of this country, wa.s emphatically 
condemned by the sjieaker, as both unjust and imwi.se, because our con- 
stitution grants equal rights to every citizen, without regard to the form 
of his religion, and unwise because it is the A^ery way to bring ori th<! 
religious war which the mendiers of that organization claim to fear. 

The Unitarian, or Liberal Churcli. grew for the most part, out of 
the narrowness of the Orthotlox Church, it claimed wider views, both 
of the love of God, and tlie lights and possibilities of hunum natui-o. 
It has also given us a clearer insight into the human life of .lesus. By 
way of criticism and outlook into the future, the preacher held that the 
old idea of justice and law need to be supplemented by that of unmer- 
ited kindness and generosity, thai the old individualism needed to be 
broadened into nuiterialism, that the s))iritual Diviiu^ illumination i)y the 
Holy Spirit needed also the enduring (jualitics of education and culture, 
that the Catholic ideas of unity and authority needed greater adjust- 
ment to our American ways and institutions, that the Liberal movement 
needed a deeper sense of the Divine within its rich thought of human- 
ity, and that all needed a more tolerant appreciation of the fju^t that 
none held the whole of God's tinth. while each had l)een elected to 
receive a portion of (iod's light and life, (iod's aiui was not simply lo 
bless them, but always for the ultinuite .salvation of the whole communi- 
ty! Let us cross then, gratefully and hopefully, the threshold of the 
new century, working and waiting together, until that one. true kingdom 
of God. which tilled the vision of the ancient prophets be indeed come. 

" When thi war-dnim throbs no longer, 
And the battle Hags are furled ; 
In the parliament of man, 
Ihe federation of the wnrld." 



.AriLKOIlI) CEXTKXXrAL CKI.KRH ATIOX. 



Centennial Poem. 

God of our t'atliers, we 
In soul and country free, 

Would praise thy name ; 
From Thee our heritage. 
Our eentury'fs bright page, 
Our trust in eacli new age, 

Unchanged the same. 

Like to Jerusak^m. 
Mountains our borders hem, — 

Symbol of strength : 
Our valleys laugh witli corn. 
Beauty the hills adorn. 
Health ci-owns each smiling morn. 

And joy at length. 

We thank Thee, for the past, 
Since here our lot was cast 

In this fair town : 
For men of noble worth. 
The church, the school, the hearths 
Religion's higher birth. 

Our being's crown. 

The coming century bless, 
Our banner Holiness, 

Our hope hi Thee : 
Guard us from every ill. 
Thy truth in us fulfil, — 
To know and do Thy will. 

Our service be ! 

Hasten Thy kingdom's ivign. 
The gospel's sweet refiain. 

The wide earth o er ; 
Wheii all at one shall be 
Jn righteousness and Tliee, 
All sons of (lod most free. 

Hence eveiinore I 

A. JuDSON Rich. 






AI^IAX ClirKCH 



The Day's Observance. 



Tuesday, the526th of Jiine,^the day ap])ointeil lor the observance of 
the lOOthJaiiniversary of the settlement of the town, dawned fair and 
bright. It was a proud day for IMilfoi-d. And as has been said : 

"Those having in charge the observances, knew well when the grass 
was greenest, and tlie beautifull^treesjthat'^adorn our streets were wont to 
put on their richest dress : when, the birds sing their sweetest welcome. 
and the golden robin comes back from'the siumy soutli to its clierished 
home in their branches, and they chose that month tojcall back and wel- 
come, and to rejoice wdth the scattered sons and /laughters of our good 
old town. 

The response was hearty as<the invitation was cordial, and the occii- 
sion was one of thefcommingling of kindred spirits, as when a long .sev- 
ered family once again gather about the •' old hearth stone " and talk 
over and rejoice in the recollections of ^early scenes and associations the 
familiar places and faces inspire." 

The public and private decorations on tlie occasion, which wei-e pro- 
fuse, were tastefully, and many of them elegantly arranged by Col. 
Beals of Boston, whose ability and^skill in this direction are unsui- 
passed. The public^buildings were^Jarrayed in gay attire, with chaste 
and elegant adornment of a varied charactei'. 

It would be an almost endless^undertaking to describe all of the dec- 
orations: it would be easier to give the list of houses not decorated. It 
is .safe to say that 90 percent, of the houses, except on the extreme out- 
skirts, made some kind^of a display. .About all of the houses on the 
line of march were hidden behind flags, bunting, streamers, shields and 
other decorations, signifying the spirit of the dweller^therein. and im- 
pressing visitors and strangers withjthe sincere welcome extended by an 
hospitable people. 

The day was ushered in by the ringing of bells and the firing of an 
early morning salute by " Mollie Stark." 

"Molly Stark" is one of four cannons captured by the intrepid 
Stark at the battle of Hennington, Aug. 10, 1777, and is of French make, 
and after its capture did valient service for the Americans. Two of its 



18 MlLFOHl) CKXTKNNIAL ( KLKHKATIOX. 



mates are preserved in the Capitol of Vermont, and this one is the prop- 
erty of New Boston by right of conquest. 

Tiie first spectacle to be witnessed was the bicycle parade at S 
o'clock, which was participated in by neaily sixty riders, the procession 
being headed by Mills, Hall and Elliott. The wheels, many of them, 
were gaily decorated with flags and colored ribbons. The route was 
over the one pursued by the regular procession later in tlie day. The 
citizens along the line were greatly pleased with the finest parade of this 
nature that the town ever witnessed. 

At 9 a. ni. was the dedication of the Col. O. W. Lull Memorial P'oun- 
tain, of which a complete account is given elsewhere. 

While these exercises were taking place, a great concourse of peo- 
ple from the neighboring towns were filling the streets. The bands 
were giving open air concerts, and the trade procession was forming on 
the several streets, with the hea(i resting on Railroad Square, awaiting 
the arrival of the special train which was to bring the (Jovernor and his 
staff, and many other invited guests. 



Decorations. 



The town hall took ju'ecedence in the line of centennial decorations. 
The front was profusely coveretl with bunting, includings flags and 
streamers. Across the center was a semi-circular design with the in- 
scription, " 100 Anniversary of IMilford." Over the fro)it entrance was 
a large bronzed eagle, underneath of which, and surrounding both sides 
of the doorway, was a heavy draping of flags and shields. On the 
south side large flags were displayed in unique design, and in the centre 
of the building was a large canvas painting, representing a camp scene 
in soldier life, or as the artist might describe it, union and confederate 
soldiers after the surrender. Also a large inscription, " 1794, 100 Anni- 
versary of Milford, Greeting to All." Wide, red, white and blue bunt- 
ing was festooned along the entire awning in front of the stores. 

The Library building was bright with the national colors. In large 
gilt letters was the inscription, " Welcome to our Sons and Daughters. 
In front of Masonic hall windows, hung suspended a large canvas paint- 
ing emblematic of the order. The interior of the hall was tasteiully 
decked in red, white and blue, draped with lace about tiie stage and bal- 
conies. On the wall in rear of stage was the inscription, " Welcome 
Our Guests." Over the quarters of the fire department in the ba.sement 
of the town hall annex, were numerous American flags enclosing a can- 
vas painting of a fire scene, steamer, etc. 

The Melzer block, next beyond the [library, exhibited a liberal dec- 
oration, in the center of which was a canvas painting of Union soldiers, 
entitled the "Rear Guard." Webster block, Avery's building and the 
Xational Bank were also dressed in the garb of national enxblems. 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 19 



At Hamblett and Power's block, red, white and blue bunting was 
draptnl along the coving of the building its entire length. In front of 
G. A. R. Hail appeared national colors, and large canvas painting, rep- 
resenting "Sheridan's ride to Winchester," also numerous army corps 
badges, and W. R. C. badge. In front of O. U. A. M. hall were flags 
and a large portrait of George V\abhingLon, underuealh of vv hich appeared 
the motto, " God and Our Native Land." Bunting was also festooned 
along the awning. 

The livery building of Frank Ordway, the armory of Co. D., and Ken- 
ney's building were radiant with flags and bunting in appropriate form. 
The Howison House on the evenings of the 25th and 'JUth, was bril- 
liant with colored electric lights across the building jvist above the first 
and second story windows. In the day time the house was ablaze with 
bunting and the national colors. There was also displayed a canvas 
painting. 

The awning in front of Wadleigh block was uniquely draped in red, 
white and blue in a pleasing design. The block belonging to the same 
estate on South street, was finely decorated with American flags, promi- 
nent in view was a large canvas painting of George VVashingtpn. Wal- 
lace block on corner of Square and South street, was heavily draped 
with bunting. On the front surrounded by flags and streamers was a 
canvas painting representing the " (ioddess of Liberty." There were also 
several emblems of the I. O. O. F. in view. Ryan's livery was appro- 
priately decked with American flags. 

The oval, so recently reconstructed, and which is an object of tradi- 
tional interest, presented a fine appearance, being profusely decked with 
the flags of all nations. 

The post-office manufactory of John AlcLane on Nashua street, was 
covered with American flags ; on one point of the building was a canvas 
painting representing the ''Battle of Gettysburg," on the other was a 
representation of the conflict between the " .Monitor and Merrimac." 
The Ganey building on Middle street, occupied by the Standard Cloth- 
ing company, was duly trimmed with the national colors. 

The Catholic Church on Amherst street, bore unmistakable marks of 
patriotism in the anniversary celebration. Its imposing front was richly 
decked with American flags and streamers, in the centre of which, stand- 
ing out prominently, was a fine portrait of the Father of Our Country — 
George Washington. 

Connected with the decoration of the Shaw house, corner of Union 
and Cottage streets, there appeared dates and names of considerable liis- 
toric interest. 

The residence of Mrs. Wni. Wallace was prettily attired in decora- 
tive design, with American flags and streamers, as were also the houses 
of Dr. Hutchinson and E. C. Batchelder. B. F. Foster's block wasdrai)ed 
with flags, and red, white and blue bunting was tnstefidly festooned 
above the first and second story. Chase's market and Boutelle's luirness 
shop were also trimmed. 



20 MILFORl) CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



Hollaad'.s block and Saving's bank building were neatly trimmed 
with national colors. In front of the latter was the inscription " Wel- 
come," over the entrance. 'I he Ladies' Exchange was prettily noticed 
with red, white and blue Hags and streamers. Eagle Hall building, one 
of the oldest landniarks in the town, was appropriately' attired in the 
national colons, and bore the inscription, " We greet you all." Foster's 
block was bright with the national colors, enclosing the motto, " Wash- 
ington, Father of Our Country." Shannahan's building bore a hand- 
.some design of flags and streamers appended from a gilt eagle, with col- 
ors skirting the edge of the awning. 

The tenement house on South street, besides a heavy display of 
bunting, bore a long painting representing Washington crossing the Del- 
aware. Emerson & Son's building was neatly draped with the national 
colors. 

The store of C. E. Kendall & Co., ])roprietors of the old mill .store, 
was fully alive to the sentiment of the occasion, and the front of the 
building was spread with stars and i*tripes in tasteful arrangement. 

The office of publication of the Farmer x Cabitn't reflected its loyalty 
to the interests of the nation, state, and the welfare of humanity, by 
d'aping its street front with the emblems of our national unity. 

Along the line of the procession, and at other points, private resi- 
dences were decorated with American flags, and red, white and blue 
bunting. 

In truth, the whole town was in a blaze of red, white and blue, 
everyone decorating their buildings to a greater or less extent. The 
spirit was universal. 



The Procet^Hior-^. 



At an t^arly lioui' tlie several formations that were to constitute a 

prominent feature in our centennial celebration, as.seinbled at their 

respective points. The headquarters of the Chief Marshal, Col. F. E. 

Kaley, accompanied l>y his cHicieut corps of aids, was established at 

Railroad Square,. Promptly at the hour the word "forward" came from 

the chief, and innnediately the column proceeded on its way, amid the 

cheerin"" strains of martial music, waving of flags and banners, and the 

applause of the multitude, fcjrming one of the most inijiosing pageants 

ever witnessed in the euterpiising and patriotic old town of Milford. 

'J'he divisions were formed substantially as follows: 

Division No. i. 

Chief Marshal, Col. F. E. Kaley. 

Chief of Staff, F. P.. Bartlett, 

Aids: H. F. Warren, Chas. Came, W. A. Guild, F. W. Chase, W. 

J. Prince. Gen. C. W. Stevens, F. W. Sawyer, W. D. .Sargent, 

S. A. Gutterson. Geo. Smith and Frank Jewett. 

Second Regiment Band of Nashua, 30 pieces. ( W. A. Cumraings, director.) 



MlLrOKl) CtN'J'KXXIAL CELKBH ATIOX. 



Co. D, N. H. N. O. 
Lafayette Artillery. 
Milford Kire Department. 
G^lc^;s i;i c.\iri.;ges. 
(Tiivernor and Stiitf, President of the Uay, etc 
The following composed the mercantile department, manufactures, 
trades' and agricultural display in the procession, which is universally 
pronounced to be the grandest demonstration of the kind ever conceived 
and carried out in a town of this size. It is evidence of the thrifty .ind 
progressive enterprise of our people, and iirnmises well for the com- 
mencement of the second century : 

DiVtSION No. 2. 

Milford Cornel Band. 
11 H Barber, float, 50 rolls of carpeting, Hauner — "Dry ( loods. Mil- 
linery, etc." 
K. C. Batchelder, dry goods team. 
Mrs. A. J. Burns, covered carriage, millinery scene. 
Ladies' Exchange, team with very unique equippage. 
J. M. Laws, carriage artistically trimmed with specimens of the shoe 
trade, and occupied by daughter Helen and Willie Youmans. 

H. F. Warren, team driven by young lady. 

W. F. French, druggist, team bearing huge druggist's mortar. 

Standard Clothing Co., float containing sewing machine and also jirint- 

ing press in operation. 
Boutelle, hamessmaker, large float, profuse display ; K. Allbee, club 
swinging, in performance. 
Farm wagon, driven by H. H. Sanderson. 
D. T. Buttrick, agricultural tools, 3 teams. 
C. E. Kendall & Co., agricultural tools, 2 teams. 
B. F. Foster, undertaker, 2 teams. 
Kenney & Foster, real estate, carriage. 
W. R. Putnam, one team, harness exhibit. 
K. M. Parker, express display, i team. 
Ed. Shannessey, wheelwright establishment, the proprietor working at 
his trade, i team. 
J. E. Bruce, grocery wagon, driven by John Bruce, 1 team. 
Hutchinson & Averill, 2 grocerj' teams representing trade, driven by ( ieo. 
M. Center and Fred Winters, i team occupied by firm. 
Stowell, grocery team, trade song by young ladies. 
Thomas Holland, grocery team, driven by Eugene'Dutton. 
N. W. Robinson, Milford's veteran meat dealer, 2 meat carts decorated 
with red, white and blue. 
Holt Bros., 3 meat carts, and wagon loaded with fruit. 
W, I. Chase, market team. 
Milford Fish market, 2 teams. 
Leland Kenney, painter's team and ladder wagon. 
Brahaney & Broderick, carriage and ornamental painting, 1 covered car- 
riage. 
F. W. Famsworth, stationer, float — boat filled «ith little girls. 
John Stevens, restaurant team. 
Kmerson & .Son, covered float with parlor furiiitine exhibii 

Division No. 3. 
Wilton Band, Lyndeboro' Artillery company, 30 men, and piece of .irtil- 
lery. 
John McLane, float, postoflfice oullit. 
French & Heald, j floats, one with display of cheffoniiers, with placard, 
"Our line for 1894 ; one with sideboards, placarded "Our lat- 
est;" one with packages of furniture. 
Hillsboro' Mills, float with woolen blankets. 
Morse 4t Kaley, float with display of colored cotton yaru. 



MILFORD CKNTKNXIA!. CHLEFiHATrOX. 



IJartlett & Son, Hoat with exhibit of hosiery. 
VVilkiiis Bros., float loaded with paper boxes. 
A. J. Foster, team covered with specimens of momcc < manufacture. 
C. Childs, team, exhibit of baskets. 
W. E. Pierce, wooden ware, i team. 
Tranlc Hartsliorn, 2 teams, lumber. 
A. VV. Howison, i team, lumber. 
IV R. Came, 2 teams, coal. 
Merrill Hr.is., 10 teams, representing their coal, wood, and ice business. 
\V. N. Ware, team representing saw mill industry. 
Divisio.v No. 4. 
This division exhibited the agricultural interests of our town, and was 
one of the most unique and extensive in the procession. 'l"he fact was 
plainly evident that much skill and originality of design had been ex- 
pended in the construction of the vthick-s representing the oldest and 
most subsuiutial vocation of our people during t!ic hundred ye.%rs of the 
town's existence. The exhibit was chiefly as follows : 

Four large floats, each one displaying in some form the products of 
the farm. One of the number representing spring, summer, autumn 
and winter, and all of them contained a number of young Misses appro- 
priately attired. 

Jenkins, poullry team. 
\V. H. Tarbell, three seated team, neatly trimmed. 
W. H. Cleaves, milk wagon. 
W. H. Kendall, (leo. Raymond and others, 8 teams. 
W. R. Fitch, poultry team. 
Alonzo Howard, hay wagon. 
F. C. P.outelle, fruit dealer, donkey cart. 
A portion of this display was under the auspices of the Grangers. A 
pleasing feature of ithis division was the appearance ot the following 
young ladies, neatly attired, on horseback : Sadie French, Louise 
Anderson, Roselle Hutcliinson, Maud Taggart, and Jesse Hutchinson. 
Division N'o. 5. 
Mechanics Cornel Band. 
This division was made up almost entirely of heavy teams, represent- 
ing the granite interest, now one of the most promising and extensive 
in our miH.st. 

C. W. Stevens, 2 teams; E. G. Kittredge, i team; C. W. Carkin, i 
team; D. L. Daniels & Co., t team; J. R. Thompson, i team ; Young 
& Co., 1 team; Milford Granite Co.. i team. 

These teams were nearly all drawn by four horses, and contained spec- 
imens of rough and finished work. Thev attracted universal attention. 
The procession was nearly forty minutes in passing a given point, and 
was pronounced one of the finest civic processions ever witnessed in the 
State. It was thoroughly illustrative of Nfillord's enterprise and re- 
sources. 



Promptly at 10 o'clock the prooes.sion inarched clown Union Street to 
Union Square, through Union Square to XasJiua Street, Nashua to Clin- 
ton, Clinton to South, South to Lincoln, Lincohi to Union, Union to Gar- 
den, (iaiden to Cottage, Uottage to Elm, Elm to Union Stjiiare, through 
Union Square to Amherst, Amherst to Sonhegan, vSouhegan to Pleasant, 
Pleasant to Orcliard, Orchard to Ciiestiiiit, Chestnut to Amherst, 
Amherst to Grove, (Jiove to Union S(juare. 

Upon the (!o:npletioii of the parade it was reviewed by the Governor 
and his Stall and invited guests, lussembled on the Town Hall steps. 




IVIilford, t H. Centennial Gelebfation, 



^une 26, 1894. 



lentil 



* 



New Hmnpsliirc 'rnrkcy. 



Hot Rolls. 



Mince Pie. 

Bride's Cake 



COLD MEATS. 

Koast Bc.'f, 

Lobster Salad. 
Radishes. 

Hot Baked Beans. 
Cold Bread. 

PASTRY. 
Lemon Pie. 



Sim-ar Cured 11; 



Brown Bread. 



Frosted Custard Pie< 
Oranffe Cake. 



Chocolate Layer Cake. 

Strawberry Cake. 

Vanilla Ice Cream. Frozen Puddin<;. 

Coffee. Tea. Milk. 

Granites. Bananas. 



MFLFORI) CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 28 



The Lafayette Artillery Coiiipaity of l^yndeboions,'!), that appeared 
in the parade is the ioiirth oldest conipaiiy in the country, haviii;^ been 
formed in 1804, and has maintained its organization ever sine.-. 

After the review of the procession the Milford Fire Department 
gave an exhibition upon Union Sijuaro, attracting much favorai>le com- 
ment by their etKciency and promptne.s-. 

Dinner wa.s served in a huge tent erected at Endicott Park, by 
Caterer John Stevens, at 5U cents per plate. The following l>ill of fare 
was served : 



Cold Turkey. 


Ham, 




Beef. 


Hot Baked Beans. 


Hot Rolls. 


Bro' 


n-ii Bread. 


Pies and Cake. 






Hot Coffee. 



Dinner for two hundred invited guests was served at the Banquet 
Hall of the Towii House, and was in charge of ^lasseck, caterer from 
Nashua. The blessing was pronounced by the Rev. Josejih Foster. 



Spoi'ts. 



While a large gathering vva.s assembled in the Town Hall to 
listen to the literary exercises there, others gathered at the Park 
to witness the base ball contest between the Milfords and the Matthews 
of Lowell. 

It was oi'.i' of the largest gatlierings ever assembled at the Park that 
witnessed the base ball game, ll was a close contest, and resulted in 
the defeat in the Lowell visitors in a score of 8 to 7. The following 
shows the make up and score oi the clul)S : 

i\l 1 LFORDS. M A r^IH E US. 

Mullen, 3b. M.amo.nky. oej. 

T. YorXG, SS. (iALLACMlKH. LK. 

HiNUS, LF. 'I'llOKNTON. 1 B. 

Manmnc;, c. ^NIcGuiRk, '2\i. 

J. Howisox, "Jb. Flynn, c. 

Roach, 1b. McGuank, vSs. 

H. Y()i\(;, cv. VAirGHX, cv. 

NoLAX, III. Kklly, hk. 

St'TTKH. I'. HaVI.IX, 1'. 

P(>M>. (SIB.). 

IxMXGs 1 J :; I .') fi 7 s !i ToT'i. 

MiLFORDs - - -J (t II :> :{ * * — ^^ 
Matthews - ;} (i 1 1 U 'J * ♦ — 7 



MII.FOUI) CKXTKXXIAI. CEl.KBHATIOX. 



At 2:20 o'clock the bicycle race took place, the following iiatned rid- 
ers having entreed the contest : 

Bknton Mills, W. J. Elliott, 

A. R. Webstkk, C. a. M('I.,ank, 

C. F. IsoLA. Pkrley Martin, 

Kdw. Ckowkll. .]. T. Gai'tikk. 

L. A. Ht-t< iti.NsoN. L. H. Hall. 

a. \y. Hl.ANf IIAUI>. 

'I'he point of starting was in front of Town house, over a seven 
nriile course, up one side of the river and down the other, finishing in 
front of Bartlett's store. Finst prize, a ^2o medal, won by Benton Mills, 
time 25 mimites and -M) and 3-ii secoonds; second prize, .1?1() hicycie lan- 
tein, Arthur R. Webster; third prize, cyclometer, C. F. Isola. 



EXERCISES AT THE HALL 



COL. J. W. CROSBY. 

Col. J. W. Crosby, Chairman of the Towu Committee, called the 
meeting to order, and spoke as follows : 
Ladies, Friends, and Fellow Citizens : 

We are glad to greet you on this day of days, for dear old Milford, 
and have ^ou with us to participate in our festivities on this, to us, joy- 
ful occasion, and one hundredth anniversary. The matter of celebrat- 
ing the one hundredth anniversary of our incorporation as a town was 
talked up in town meeting in the year 1892. It was then decided that 
we celebrate the centennial in 1894. And our Senators and Representa- 
tives elect to the Legislature of 1893, were instructed to have passed an 
Enabling Act by which the town could appropriate money to celebrate 
its centennial. At the tow meeting in March, 1893, a committee was ap- 
pointed to arrange for an appropriation of our one hundredth anniver- 
sarsary. And they have worked early and late, with the cordial assist- 
ance of the town's people generally, to make it a success. Whether they 
have done so or not, we leave you to judge. To those who have gone 
from our borders, and all others, I would say that we who have one of 
the smartest, prettiest little towns in all creation, and strive by making 
improvements every year, te make it in all respects " the banner town" 
of the old " Granite State. But ray weakness admonishes me that I 
must not talk at this time. Therefore, we will proceed with the order of 
exercises at once. Please give your attention to an invocation by a na- 
tive of Milford, Rev. Joseph C. Foster, D.D. : 

PRAYER BY REV. JOSEPH C. FOSTER, 

O Lord, our God, — our God, — our father's God ! we would acknowl- 
edge Thee in all our ways, so that our paths may be wisely and safely 
directed. Thou hast manifested Thyself to us in kindness and love, 
through the various ways in which Thou hast led us individually and 
collectively. We may confidently look to Thee as the God of nations. 



26 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

states and towns, a.s well as of individuals. Humbly and devoutedly 
would we thank Thee for what Thou hast been to us as a nation, over 
the destinies of which Thou hast graciously presided ; and as a town, in 
all the history of which Thy guiding and helping hand has been sure. 
We thank Thee for the auspicious beginning of this town, and for its 
helpful progress, from year to year, till a full century has ended since it 
came into worthy existence. Thou hast been known in all the periods 
of the history which are reviewed with thankfulness and joyfulness 
to-day. Early was Thy name honored and Thy worship established here. 
Never has there failed to be the recognition of Thy supremacy afforded 
by a House of God, in which the inhabitants of the town might assemble 
as the worshippers of Him from whom all blessings come. Even has 
Thy wisdom and goodness been seen in the inestimable provision Thou 
hast made, that with religious privileges educational advantages might 
be enjoyed. For the churches and the schools we would give Thee 
thanks. Unto Thee we would ascribe honor, and render praise for the 
virtue and intelligence, the piety and learning that have been developed 
in all the years embraced in the centennial period now commemorated. 
To these advantages and consequent blessings we reverently trace, 
through Thy good providence, the worthy citizenship with which the 
town has been favored, and the substantial prosperty which has prevailed 
from generation to generation, making the tow'n honorable and commend- 
able in its record, attractive and delightful for residence, and of pleasant 
memory as a cherished native place. 

As Thou hast been favorable unto the dwellers here in all the hun- 
dred years that are past, so wilt contine to prosper and bless in all the 
affairs of the town, making the future better than the past to all that 
pertains to true prosperity and honorably successful endeavor. Let the 
best interests of the people be ensured ; let adversity and calamity be 
averted ; let industry and sobriety, temperance and morality, intelligence 
and religions have enlarged and ever enlarging development. May 
happy homes henceforth, be more and more numerous, and all classes 
and conditions of the inhabitants be virtuous and intelligent, moral 
and religious. And may this commemorative occasion be the beginning 
of the brightest and best period in the history of the town, hitherto, and 
may the next hundred years be crowned with the richest blessings of 
Thy kind providence and Thine abounding grace. These offerings of 
thanksgiving and supplication we now devoutly make in the name of 
our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen. 

JUDGE R. M. WALLACE. 

Col. Crosby : — I now have the honor and great pleasiire of present- 
ing to you as President of the Day, our highly esteemed citizens, Judge 
Robert M. Wallace : 
Ladies and Gentlemen: 

One hundred years ago the good old town of Milford began its 
existence, and we have met to-day to celebrate the centennial anniver- 




JUDGEEKOBERT M. WALLACE, 
President of the Day. 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 27 



sary of that important event, and to awaken in our minds the mem- 
ories and inspirations of the past. 

To those of the sons and daughters of Milford who do not now re- 
side here, but who in obedience to the ties of birth, or former residence, 
have returned to show your interest in and loyalty to the town, by 
participating in the exercises of this day, I bid you in the name of the 
town and people of Milford, a most hearty and cordial welcome. 

Your presence here in such numbers on this occasion gives us the 
greatest pleasure, and we trust you will find this day spent in re- 
visiting and recalling old and familiar scenes in this beautiful Souhe- 
gan valley, and in reviving and renewing old associations and 
friendships, both a pleasant and profitable one. 

It is a beautiful and instructive custom to properly commemorate an 
important event in the life of an individual, or in the history of a commu- 
nity. The one hundredth anniversary of the birth of a town which re- 
calls and keeps alive the memories of the labors and sacrifices of the 
fathers in founding a representative New England town like Milford, is 
an event which their descendants, who are in the slightest degree worthy 
to succeed them, will never suffer to pass unnoticed or unobserved, but 
will gratefully and loyally commemorate. 

Nowhere does the town hold so important a place in the affairs of the 
community as in New England. The town system not only furnishes to 
the people of New England, the most perfect form of free government 
in local affairs, but its influence in educating and training the people in 
the truest and highest ideas of democracy, and implanting in their minds 
those fundamental principles which are essential to any form of a Repub- 
lican government, is without a parallel anywhere else. And from this 
town system in its relation to the State, supreme in the control of local 
affairs, yet subordinate in state aff'aii's, sprang the very idea upon which 
the republic was founded which, while allowing to the several states, su_ 
preme control in national aff'au-s. Thus was discovered that great princi. 
pie which liberty loving people in all ages of the world sought for in vain 
which makes possible at the same time individual freedom and home rule 
in local affairs, and a strong, central, national government to preserve 
itself from internal strife and foreign aggression. The first settlers of 
this town, both before and after its incorporation, endm-ed great hard- 
ships and privations. It is difficult for us at this time to thoroughly real, 
ize the discomforts, difficulties and dangers of going into a wilderness, 
beset with savages and wild beasts, clearing and reclaiming the land, build- 
ing houses, making roads, and instituting a minature state, for such was 
the original New Hampshire town. Yet that is what the original settlers 
of Milford did, first, as inhabitants of the town of Dunstable in 1738, next 
of Monson, then of Amherst, and finally one hundred years ago feeling 
themselves too strong to remain longer in leading strings, formed them- 
selves into a separate town and secured the incorporation of Milford, in 
1794. Strong character is only developed and produced by correspond- 
ingly great trials and diflBculties. No hardy race was ever nourished iu 



28 MTLFORD CENTP:NNIAL CELEBRATION. 

the lap oi luxury and ease. The privations and trials of these original 
proprietors of the town produced a strong and vigorous people. They 
recognized no difficulties except as something to be overcome, and they 
left the impress of their character upon their descendants and upon the 
people of this town, wJiich inspired the people of New England in 1775 
and many of them, were at the battle of Bunker Hill, under the com- 
mand of that brave old patriot Capt. Josiah Crosby of this place. The 
people of that town were imbued with the spirit of independence, they 
were also actuated by a strong religious sentiment. They were deeply 
impressed, not only with the importance, but with the imperative neces- 
sity of education for the highest development of the individual and of 
the community. 

This town in the first centui-y of its existence has been what we 
should have a right to expect it would be, from a town thus founded and 
established. The religious characteristics and development have always 
been an important feature from the days of the practical teachings of 
that vigorous Christian, Rev. IVli-. Moore, the first settled minister of the 
town, to the present time, and something that had to be recognized 
and taken into account in the settlement of any important question in 
the community. The numerous strong religious societies in this town, 
with theii* large membership and handsome churches, show that this sen- 
timent still exists. 

This town has always ranked high in educational lines, lier public 
schools being among the best. Her school houses have been a credit to 
the town, and the new school house about to be built, attests the fact 
that the spirit that has controlled the town in the past, in educational 
matters, still anmates her people. The large and well selected library 
in its convenient and commodious quarters, not presented to the town 
by some rich man, but which the town provided for itself, speaks well 
for the culture of the people. 

That spirit of freedom which actuated the fathers of the town, in 
the early days, has shown itself in a marked degree, in the agitation and 
earnest etfort which many of the best people made in the anti-slavery 
controversy. It was then that the Hutchinson Family did so much for 
the cause by their songs, and sang themselves into national fame. Later 
still, the same spirit manifested itself when in the war of tlie Rebellion, 
the town sent her noblest and bravest sons to the aid of the country in 
the hour of its peril. Their sacrifices and achievements in that struggle 
nuike a glorious record, honorable alike to themselves and the town. 

This community has been one of the foremost in the state in the 
cause of temperance. When the town was first established it was then 
thought proper for all, from the minister down, to drink, and that all 
important events, like trainings or raisings, could not be successfully car- 
ried on, except under the inspiration to be derived from frequent pota- 
tions of New England rum. But since the temperance question was 
recognized in this country as one of the great moral questions, Milford 
was not only quick to recognize the iacalculable evils of intemperance to 




;()v. jdiix li sMirii 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 29 



the individual and the community, but was equally prompt to do all in 
her power to remedy this evil. 

Milford has been, and is, one of the most progressive towns in the 
state, and her influence has been, and is felt in the state for good. Her 
business interests have prospered. No need to look for abandoned 
farms in this fertile valley where the agricultural interests are so well 
looked after by progressive farmers. Our growing manufacturing inter- 
ests, and om' splendid granite quarries develop and add to the growth of 
the town. Our enterprising merchants minister so well to the wants of 
this and surrounding communities, that they add to the wealth and im- 
portance of the town. 

Our large and fine public buildings, our water works, sewers and 
electric lights, are evidences of the general prosperity. 

But after all the best product of the town is the many noble men 
and women it has given to the world, whose lives of usefulness and 
honor within the town, or wherever they may have wandered, have 
directly and indirectly made the town what it has been and is, and have 
added lustre to the pages of its history. 

It was for the founders of this town, and those who succeeded them 
in the first century of her existence thus to build, so that we to-day con- 
templating their work are proud of it, and have a right to be. It is ours 
to carry on and maintain this work thus splendidly begun, to keep tlie 
noble heritage they have bequeathed us free from crime, u-religion, intem- 
perance or any taint, and those tendencies to socialism and anarchy which 
threaten us to-day. 

And I close with this thought ; may we, and those who come after 
us in this second century of the existence of the town of Milford, so well 
perform thek duty in this respect, that when the circling years shall 
have finally brought the second centennial of this town, our descendants 
shall then gratefully commemorate the deeds of the second century of 
the town as well as of the first. 

GOVERNOR JOHN B. SMITH. 

President Wallace : — To-day is the birthday of the Town of Milford, 
and many of the distinguished men of the State have come to pay their 
respects to her and do her honor. Among them is one whom the loyal 
people of the town will especially delight to welcome, His Excellency, 
John B. Smith, Governor of the State, who will present the compli- 
ments of the State of New Hampshire to the To^\^l of Milford on this 
occasion. 
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemex, Citizens of Milford : 

I esteem it a great pleasure as well as privilege to be present on this 
interesting occasion, and join with you in the observance of the one 
hundredth anniversary of the incorporation of your town. I shall not 
enter into the history of the town in detail. I shall leave that to others, 
to those who have made special study of the different features of its 



30 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



settlement and its history. I shall content myself with only a brief 
generalization and some words of congratulation. You are to be con- 
gratulated, certainly, in having such unanimity of purpose from the 
begiiming of this worthy enterprise ; such competent and painstaking 
committees whose work of preparation in every detail has been so 
enthusiastically undertaken and so well done. All your people seem to 
have entered earnestly into the work, and in such a manner as to make 
the occasion what it is, — a perfect success, reflecting credit upon a town 
always noted for its intelligence and spirit of enterprise, — for its push 
and energy. 

The glory of New England is not its 'great cities, although they are 
important factors in its social and natural development. But its glory 
is its rural towns and villages, for in them is developed the best and 
truest type of our boasted civilization. Great cities are often politically 
and socially corrupt. The country towns are the conservators of what is 
best in our institutions. They represent the purest Americanism, and 
best preserve the character and traditions, the faith and principles of 
the fathers and founders of the Republic. Their healthy conservatism, 
intelligence and moral worth, mvist ever constitute our chief safe guard, 
and are the sheet anchor of our free institutions. We annually receive 
hundreds of thousands of emigrants from other lands. The thrifty and 
honest, from whatever land they come, of whatever race or creed, we 
welcome ; but whether we welcome them or not, they will come (unless 
some wholesome immigration legislation shall interpose, and may it not 
be long delayed), and they come with ideas and principles and customs 
as foreign as themselves. Much of this infusion tends to vitiate our 
political blood and to corrupt our morals, and overturn our social condi- 
tions and customs. It is too much the habit of our immigrants to tarry 
in the great cities, adding to the sum of corruption and ignoi-ance, and 
aggravating the already too prevalent political disease. 

The continual healthy flow of rural blood into these cities will prove 
the only antidote and counteracting influence. To the country then we 
must look for the solution of our social and political problems. The in- 
fluences that reach out from our country towns with their simple virtues 
and sevant morals, are really the basis of our hopes ; but for these we 
might well despair. Such a tyj)ical model New England and New 
Hampshire town is Milford. I liave already paid tribute to the moral 
worth, intelligence and enterprise of its people. Here, religious, educa- 
tional, and charitable institutions are, and have ever been liberally sus- 
tained. Sobriety and virtue have been characteristic of your people. 
Here business enterprises have flourished and successful industrial estab- 
lishments have furnished remunerative employment ; and where none 
need be, few have been disposed to be idle. Labor here has always been 
honorable and respected, because it is self-respecting and unusually intel- 
ligent. As a consecpience very little autagonism between labor and caCpi- 
tal is found here and strikes are unknown. The intelligent working 
man appreciates the advantage of well managed and well directed capi- 




iJl.A. 1,^ i> 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 81 

tal, and the humane and liberal employer respects and honors his em- 
ployees as helpers and co-workers. 

This town has been noted for its loyalty and patriotism as we 
might well expect of such a people. A hundred years measures the 
age of your town as a public corporation, but it does not measure the 
history of this community. The territory now known as M ilford town- 
ship was taken from olderJ|corporate towns, and was settled for half a 
century previous to the beginning of your own distinctive town life. 
From this settlement undoubtedly went forth some of its young men to 
the French and Indian wars — and later went forth sturdy bauds of 
patriots to the war of the American revolution. To the call for volun- 
teers in the war of the rebellion, JNIilford made prompt and continual 
response. Her sons distinguished themselves in that great struggle, and 
among the many^brave soldiers who are remembered today with the 
gratitude of_ theii- countrymen, none.was braver than Col. Lull of yom- 
own town. Other names of your brave sons might be added, who 
counted not their lives dear that they might lay them on the altar of 
their country. The cause of human liberty and the equal rights of all 
men, whether black or white, was early espoused in Milford, and who 
shall say the sweet songs of the Hutchinson's were any less potent in 
the great anti-slavery crusade than the eloquence of Phillips, or the pen 
of Garrison. Total abstinence from the use of intoxicating lifjuors 
found early champions here who practiced what they preached, and the 
character of your town is still unchanged on these^ great questions, and 
it stands to-day amongst New Hampshire communities in the fore front 
of progress and true reform. Your town is well located in the heart of 
the most prosperous section of the State. It has enjoyed good railroad 
facilities, which are soon to be considerably enlarged. You have much 
to be thankful for, much to be proud of, and great.jeason to be hopeful 
of the future. You are destined to increase in numbers and mutual 
wealth, and a consequent extension and widening of that influence for 
moulding the destiny of our state and of the country, which has ever 
been, and we trust always will be, wholesome and helpful. 

DEA. EDWARD D. BOYLSTON. 

President Wallace: — Once Milford was a part of the Town of 
Amherst, is the child of Amherst. The parent town after carefully rear- 
ing and training her, when she reached her majority one hundred years 
ago, allowed her to set up for herself, with the blessing of the parent 
town. We have with us to-day, Dea. E. D. Boylston^of Amherst, who 
will now give us the cor.gratulations of that town on the credit Atilford 
has done to her training in her first century. 
Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : — 

By the appointment and request of the authorities of the mother 
town, and approval of her Special delegation. It affords me profound 
pleasure to extend the cordial and most hearty greetings of old Amherst, 



32 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

to the thrifty, well-to-do and honored second daughter, on this the one 
hundredth anniversary of the occasion of this relation. 

In doing so I am reminded of an incident in our early local history 
of the couplet of a lad (who after became an Amherst lawyer), that 
with antipodal play upon its formative word, may be aptly here re- 
produced : — 

" You'd scarce expect one of my age 
To speak in public on the stage." 

But these congratulations may not be the less acceptable, coming, as 
they do, from one who knows, by personal contact, of what he speaks. 
For fourscore years I have been, as it were, among you, and for three- 
score journalized for a large proportion of your families — known your 
every clergy and professional man, advertised your almost every mer- 
chant and mechanic, and social and business change; and when I speak 
congratulatory of your progress and weal, " speak what I know, and tes- 
tify of what I have seen." 

Few towns have been more highly favored in all these relations than 
Milford, until to-day the daughter stands " head and ears " above the 
mother, on high vantage ground, and observes her first centennial in a 
glow of ascendancy, pride of circumstance, and richness of perspective, 
that makes it a delightful duty to bring to you these maternal congratu- 
lations. 

One hundred years ago Amherst knew, as you to-day, the pride of 
position and ascendency — the third or fourth town in the State, commer- 
cially, and the first in the County, with all its courts and public offices, 
and even a session of the State Legislature, which only four other towns 
have known ; while Milford, in swaddling clothes, took on a name indi- 
cating that she had no bridge whereon to pass her waters. 

Tempora viutantur, nos et mutimur, in illis 

" The times are changed, and we are changed witli them." 

Our 1,600 inhabitants have become 1,000, your 1,000 more than 
3,000. Our courts and courtiers have all left us ; our trade turns to your 
doors, and passes your elegant bridge ; and our pleasure seekers seek 
their pleasure in your park and of your band. But for a score of years, 
in musical reciprocity we have not been wholly lacking I know, it hav- 
ing cost my personal team more than 2,000 trips, and 10,000 miles travel. 

'' God is judge ; he setteth up one, and putteth down another." 
With the Divine allotments it becometh all to acquiesce, and we cheer- 
fully do so to-day, bidding you God-speed in your progressive, upward 
career. 

Most prominent in our congratulations truth and duty compel us to 
place your noble progenitors. If you have aught that calls for profound 
congratulation it is beneath your soil, and deserving of its richest granite ! 
the noble fathers and mothers sleeping in your tombs — at the very men- 
tion of whom every bosom must swell with a grateful, holy pride. Hun- 
dreds of these as my patrons and warm friends are before me to-day 
with a warm recall, whom to name would be to praise — the privilege of 
others. They constitute your uoblost inheritance, as underlying and 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 33 



enduring, and thousand-fold more worthy and ennobling than the granite 
you so cherish, of them so beautifully emblematic. 

We congratulate you upon your forth-coming beautiful Town His- 
toi'y, and that you have such proud history to record, and such wortliy 
and indefatigable men to record it. They deserve your warmest regard. 

We heartily congratulate you upon the high political standing that 
gives you to-day two candidates for our State Governorship, and both so 
popular that all wish that both might be elected, and all expectant that 
one or the other wi'l be ; and one returns to you to-day around whom 
the honors of the old Bay State splash and beat as its waves about its 
breakers ; — while 

Each, with pride of a Briton, turns 

To-day, to welcome your Wallace and Burns. 

We congratulate you upon your progressive architecture, public and 
private; your elegant Town House; your Monumental Library; your 
fine school buildings and their products, and the coming " Endicott " ; 
your Lull Monument of to day ; your well appointed and filled Churches, 
your highest hope ; your live, well-advertised commercial men ; your 
thriving and varied industries, so widely known ; your water-works, a 
monument to your prudence and hygienic care ; your military spirit, past 
and present ; your excellent fire appointments and musical bestowments ; 
your venerable Press, which fourscore years so well served us — may its 
shadow never be less ; your underlying granite foundation, and increas- 
ing facilities for its working; and last, though far from least, the cheer- 
ful lighting of your homes and ways. May the day not be distant when 
the mother shall literally and rejoicingly walk in the daughter's light. 

Amherst-decadence would form an afternoon's topic, — but avaunt 
except its maternal lesson : Hold fast, dear daughter, to your every live 
and sterling business man. Fifty of the bright, wealthy, enterprising 
men who have made Nashua what it is, were the gift of Amherst; and 
her new, proudest church stands one-half upon an Amherst financial 
basis ! Blessed they who have to give ! 

Amherst glories in her past, and that she is yet able to do something 
for her neighbors and the world. 

What here shall be. who, who can tell. 
As dawus your next Centennial ? 
The bursting acorn of to-day, 
Shall be the oak in sad decay. 
Not one, not one of all this throng 
Shall to its celebrants belong-. 
Perhaps here city, proud and great. 
Exceeding all witiim the State; 
With Courts, Cathedrals, and renown ; 
Reaching out afar o'er Amherst town. 
And sweeping north, and claiming e'en 
The " Prospect " where " The Grand " is seen ; 
All again one, and proudly one. 
As ere the past century was begun ; 
With cars borne on electric wings ' 
And thousand other stranger things ; 
While Jlub conductors ' all aboard " cry 
" For Mont-amherst-ford, whither we fly ! " 
The vision's great !— but may it not wait, 
, And former union reinstate. 



34 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



HON. CHARLES H. BURNS. 

President Wallace : — The Towu of INIilford is fortunate in having a 
favorite and distinguished son, descended from two of its oldest and 
most noted families, who needs no introduction to the people of this 
town, New Hampshire's most gifted orator, Hon. Charles H. Burns, 
who will now deliver our centennial oration. 

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : 

The subject uppermost in our minds to-day is Milford, the spot of 
earth where we were born. This multitude, gathered from all parts of 
our common country, attest the loyalty of |her sons and daughters. 
Hither we have come to witness the opening of her century plant, which 
buds and blossoms only once in a hundred years. Hither we have 
brought our children, and children's children, that they may see this 
land, from whose soil their ancestors sprung, and hear the story of that 
stalwart race, which helped overthrow dynasties, and lay the foundation 
of a prosperous town, a glorious state, and a mighty nation. With con- 
scious pride we point to the character of the men and women who first 
planted the standards of civilization in this fair and fertile valley. With 
unrestrained emotion we recount the achievements of their descendants, 
our fathers and mothers, in establishing beautiful homes, in the forma- 
tion of strong and rugged character, and in the promotion of great 
causes, that have done so much for the human race. With veneration 
and reverence, with the warmth of earnest hearts of loving children, we 
salute our venerable mother, and her spotless and noble record. 

In the history of an enterprising town like Milford, which is a cen" 
tury old, the story of much of our national life can be learned. In its 
growth is typified the advance of the nation. In its mirror of life the 
struggles, the varying fortunes, the triumphs and trials of the people are 
reflected. A distinguished historian has observed that the best way to 
learn English history is "to set a man in the streets of a simple English 
town, and to bid him to work out the history of the men who have lived 
and died there. The mill by the stream, the tolls in the market-places, 
the brasses of its burghers in the church, the names of its streets, the 
lingering memory of its guilds, the mace of its mayor, tell us more of 
the past of England than the spire of Sarem or the martyrdom of Can- 
terbury." 

If we would learn the story of liberty, and of the progress of human- 
ity in the new world we must enter, as in the old, the streets and lanes, 
the highways and byways, the parishes, even the old school districts of 
the old townships ; we must study the history of the men who cut down 
the forests, subdued the primitive soil, braved the savage, and beat their 
way up in the te(^tli of the tempest, for in their hands was the embryo 
ol our country. "The Avon to the Severn runs, the Severn to the sea." 
And as the old English town lifted the country at large to its own level 




'V • 'fyAM RUchJ-S 



C^Lo^^y^j^ j^.Ydi 



U^^t-T-^ 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. S6 



of freedom and law, so the American towns have worked out the great 
problems of free government in the United States. They have been the 
birthplaces, the nurseries, the schools and disciplinarians of the states- 
men, orators, heroes and philanthropists, who have shaped the principles 
and established the strength of the governrment. Every distinctive 
achievement of the people from the Revolution to the civil war ; from 
the recognition to the abolition of human slavery ; from the union to the 
disunion of church and state, has originated in, if it has not been, em- 
phatically determined by the American town. Here the great impulses 
which have formed the basis of national progress have been inspired and 
developed. Neither the political nor social history of the American peo- 
ple can be ascertained or appreciated without knowing the tragic strug- 
gles and local triumphs of town and municipal life. The town has been 
the teacher. It is still the steady regulator of the affairs of men. 

This is especially true of the New England townships. They were, 
as a rule, founded, and have been developed by the leaders of American 
force and thought. Their management, being independent, is typical of 
that of the nation. Every department of government is shown in the 
town, and it constitutes a miniature republic. 

The selectmen are the executive. Within the limits of their prerog- 
atives they are a co-ordinate branch of the town government and su- 
preme. 

In the town meeting is assembled the municipal lawmaking power. 
It is presided over by a moderator chosen by ballot. In the same man- 
ner the majority elect its rulers, clerk, treasurer, selectmen, and repre- 
sentatives to the general court. It enacts all the necessary rules and or- 
dinances for local self-government. The inestimable right of debate no- 
where prevails with more absolute freedom. Questions great and small 
are canvassed by oral discussion in open meeting. No credentials except 
citizenship, and no qualification except the ballot, are necessary to entitle 
a person to the floor upon any subject which is before the meeting. 
Some of the most notable discussions of the Revolution were those in 
the town meetings of Boston and New England. Milford's town meet, 
ings have been noted for intelligent debate upon all the topics of the day, 
and the voice of the town has been felt abroad in the land. 

The wide range of subjects treated and disposed of by the town gov- 
ernment, schools, paupers, highways, libraries, taxation, finance, moral 
and religious institutions, health, drainage, water supply, protection from 
fire, transportation, are such as concern the interests, comfort and safety 
of all the people, and embrace almost every possible phase of the gen- 
eral government. Their consideration demands thought, deliberation, 
debate, action, and individual judgment and responsibility. The princi- 
ples involved, like the magic tent in the fairy tale, may shelter a family, 
or cover a continent. Nowhere else is the old Greek sentiment that "the 
shame of the city is the fault of the individual" so clearly apparent. 
Nowhere else does the American citizen acquire such practical training 
and equipment for participation in legislative affairs as in meetings of 



36 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

this sort. They have been called with truth " the elementary cells and 
schools of public life." It is also here that the imperial power of the 
ballot, the rule of the majority, all the rights, privileges and appurten- 
ances of a pure democratic law-making assembly are exercised, and with 
the greatest freedom and most marked success. 

Is it strange that the intellectual local combats and individual res- 
ponsibilities have given scores of men a splendid fit for wider fields? 
Such experiences and mental training have borne excellent fruit, and con- 
stitute strength and power in the nation. 

The well regulated town has a judicial department with all the ma- 
chinery necessary to run it. 'J'he Justice of the Peace presides over pet- 
ty trials and is solenmly called "Your Honor," His couit is kept in or 
der by a deputy sheriff. He is addressed by lawyers generally of local 
production and logic. They are not unfrequently called to the bench, 
or become leaders of the bar of the state, or important factors in ihe 
Congress of the nation. 

Thus in an enterprising and intelligent town is exemplified the whole 
fabric of our government, and the history of its people for a hundred years 
is the history of the temper and the struggle of the people of the nation. 
Each township is a training camp for public servants. Much of the safe- 
ty of the American Republic lies in this fact. The local government 
teaches how to manage the general government. Men will neither ap- 
preciate nor fight for a country they do not know how to govern. 

The first settlers of the territory and town of Milford were good 
men. They were of the English and Scotch-Irish races. In their veins 
ran the best blood of the Saxon, the Scot and the Celt, the Puritans of 
Salem, and the Pilgrims of Plymouth. For years they were augmented 
from time to time with similar races, and they constituted a strong, sen- 
sible, industrious, virtuous people, such as compose and control the suc- 
cessful commonwealth. They were farmers and mechanics. They be- 
lieved in labor, law, and learning. Fortunate indeed was tliis soil in 
being early owned and tilled by such hands . Its dedication to ihe do- 
minion of free labor, free men and free schools, to honest and persistent 
toil, exposed it to christian civilization and improvement, and brought 
it into harmony with a new and glorious era. 

The territory was selected and settled as a town on the New Eng- 
land plan. Its geographical limits were fixed to suit the inhabitants. 
It was granted from Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The repre- 
sentatives of its soil, before it became a township, as after, defended it 
against both the native Indian and the foreign white invader. They 
fought at Bunker Hill and Bennington, and helped throw overboard the 
tea in Boston harbor. In the meantime they were laying the founda- 
tions of a great republic ; rearing families, building homes, churches and 
schools, and helping along the noble work of establishing a government 
by the people. In such experiences the nation was born. 

A part, and perhaps all of the territory of Milford was once claim- 
ed by Massachusetts, and received early consecration by the grace of 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 3t 

that noble commonwealth. Massachusetts has been said to have led the 
world in common schools. In 1059, it granted for the benefit of schools, 
one thousand acres of land lying along the banks of the Souhegan; a good 
ly gift to a righteous cause. It made other grants for the same purpose 
The spirit of these grants has presided over the territory ever since 
A distinguishing characteristic of its people has been a deep and abiding 
interest in educational matters ; but not until it received its charter from 
the state of New Hampshii'e a century ago, was much accomplished eith- 
er in the way of schools or churches. Its sturdy inhabitants, down to 
that time, and even later, had all they could do, to defend their cabins 
and get bread for themselves and then- families. Since then their work 
in behalf of education has been one that reflects lasting honor upon the 
citizens of Milford. They have followed the injunction of Solomon : 
"Take fast hold of instruction, let her not go, keep her, for she is thy 
life." 

The common school, the sheet anchor of a nation, the old district 
school, which for the practical and ordinary training of boys and girls, 
for good citizenship, has never been excelled by any institution on earth, 
except the home, has always been here sustained with marked success. 
A large majority of its citizens have never received any education except 
that received in the old district school. It was there that they learned 
to think, to reason and to act. It was there that they came directly in 
contact with the sturdy schoolmaster, who was generally a practical, sa- 
gacious and right-minded man. It was there that they received funda- 
mental impressions, if they deserved them, that were calculated to con- 
vince them that "the way of the transgressor is hard." A history of the 
teachers of Milford discloses a list of brainy, practical, and excellent 
men and women, who have done a great work, in that most useful of all 
human industries, the making of character. They were the "chosen few, 
the wise, the courtly, and the true." Who would not rejoice to have 
theii- children taught in the district school by such men as Daniel Russell 
and John Ramsdell, or by Gilbert and Lydia Wadleigh in the academy, 
which gave a sort of finishing touch to the graduates of the common 
schools, and has also been of conspicuous service in the training of the 
boys and girls of Milford. 

These, with the lyceum, which, for more than a quarter of a century 
was a substantial and recognized institution of the town, and for which, 
as a public training place for debate and deliberation, no eqivalent has 
ever been found, have furnished this people with every facility for 
acquiring sufiicient information and mental discipline to enable them 
to reap the precious benefits of a useful and intelligent life. 

A community thus disciplined naturally demanded books and period- 
icals, and all the equipment for the acquisition of a wider range of 
instruction and information. The public circulating library came, with 
its manifold blessings; and with it the lecture platform and its attend- 
ant moral and intellectual pleasures. The leaders of American thought, 
the greatest of American orators and philanthropists have been heard 



38 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

from ]\Iilford's platform— Henry Ward Beeclier, Lucy Stone, Wendall 
Phillips, Parker Pillsbury, William Lloyd Garrison, Frederick Douglass, 
Thomas Star King, Ralph Waldo Emerson, James Russell Lowell, Theo- 
dore Parker, Oliver Wendall Holmes and scores of others, whose renown 
is world-wide, have thrilled by their eloquence, and instructed by their 
learning, logic and philanthropy the people of this goodly town. 

True to the spirit of the Pilgrims, the early settlers, recognizing 
their first and supreme allegiance to Almighty God, built places of public 
worship alongside their homes. Throughout all their town history the 
church has been a special object of their care. The town records dis- 
close with what liberality they contributed to its upbuilding and support. 
They woi-ked and sacrificed that the words of the Saviour, the harbinger 
and hope of the highest civilization, might be taught in their midst, and 
possess the hearts of their children. They wrought in a great cause. 
Amply has the church compensated its cost. Its influence for the good 
of men is visible everywhere. At times, in the presence of great dan- 
ger, it may have been weak, but it has contributed more than a just 
share in making a thoughtful, enterprising, conscientious, home-loving 
and successful people. 

The town was more than fortunate in the selection of its first perma- 
nent pastor, the Rev. Humphrey Moore. He was a splendid man- 
Frugal, industrious, a farmer and minister, a patriot, a gentleman and a 
devout christian. His master spirit was a vital force in this community 
for more than fifty years. The early New England pastors were, for the 
most part, strong and grand characters. They were leaders among men. 
Their sturdy advice and rugged examples were saie^ guides. They did 
a great work. Mr. Moore was at the head of other strong religious 
teachers in Milford. Abner Warner, a very noble and eloquent man, 
left a lasting mark on this community. H^ valiantly espoused the cause 
of freedom, while he held aloft the banner of the cross. Many other 
good ministers have wrought here manfully, doing a work which has had 
large influence in moulding the character of the people. 

The history of the churches of Milford is quite like those in other 
parts of New England. They have figured prominently in shaping the 
course of events, but some of them were early tainted with a disinclina- 
tion to grapple with great national wrongs. 

The Pilgrims and Puritans who laid the ground-work of the New 
England churches, although a wonderful people, were not perfect or entire- 
ly consistent. The Pilgrims came to these shores, not to found a nation, 
nor to sever their political ties with the mother country, but that they 
might establish a church after their own hearts, and worship God accord- 
ing to the dictates of conscience. This one idea donunated their lives. 
The Puritans came "to found homes and build a state." The Pilgrims 
were poor but well informed. The Puritans were rich and educated. 
Both believed in work, energy and enterprise ; in the sacredness and the 
enforcement of law, in schools, the home and the church. They pro- 
fessed a belief in man, and above all, in the living God. In this sublime 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 39 

faith, and with matchless thrift and moral integrity, they made New 
England. They and their descendants constituted as noble a com- 
munity, and maintained as pure a government as has ever existed on 
earth. 

About the time the Pilgrims landed at Plymouth, in Massachusetts, 
there was another company of men who landea at Jamestown, in Vir- 
ginia. They were speculators and traders. They called themselves cav- 
aliers. They came to this land for no good purpose. They were trying 
to get something for nothing. They believed in getting a living in the 
sweat of the faces of others, not their own. Their ideas were antago- 
nistic to those of the Pilgrims. They sowed a seed in this country 
which has borne slavery, discontent and civil war. The great harvest 
is still going on. This disastrous spirit has attracted from the old world 
kindred elements. Socialism, communism, idleness, and thriftless dis- 
content, are its deadly products. 

But neither the Pilgrims nor the Puritans who helped make New 
England and the Republic, with all their love of justice and freedom, 
as history shows, had a just appreciation of the equality of human rights, 
or the education or evolution of mankind. They became, in framing the 
constitution of the Federal Union, the allies of slave traders and slave 
owners. They helped place in that great compact a fatal provision. It 
was a recognition of human slavery. 

Within fifty years after its adoption, there appeared in New Eng- 
land a young man with a great spirit. His name was William Lloyd 
Garrison. He boldly challenged the integrity and justice of that work. 
He opened his battle for freedom by saying : "I am in earnest, I will 
not equivocate, I will not excuse, I will not retreat a single inch, and 
I will be heard." He made the startling declaration that this constitu- 
tion was "a covenant with death and an agreement with hell." He 
published a newspaper, called the Liberator. Its sublime motto was 
" Our country is the world, our countrymen are all mankind," and it 
demanded "the immediate and unconditional emancipation of the slave." 
Garrison was its sole owner, its sole editor, its sole type-setter, and its 
sole manager. Its printing office was a dark and dusty attic, but its light 
was as brilliant as that of the diamond as it comes from the hand and 
genius of the lapidary. It was " a most humble, unpretentious little 
sheet of four pages, about 14x9 inches in size, but charged with the des- 
tiny of a race of human beings whose redemption from chattel, brutal 
bondage, was one day to shake to its foundations the mightiest republic 
ever yet existing on the face of the globe. 

This paper found sympathetic readers m IVIilford. It aroused the 
conscience and stirred the souls of some of its most intelligent citizens. 
They at once formed an abolition society. Some of them, feeling that 
the churches to which they belonged, were remiss in their duty to those 
in bonds, severed their connection with them. They were thenceforward 
come-outers and abolitionists. They held regular meetings in the old 
Ames hall, the Faneuil Hall of the Souhegan valley, afterwards con- 



40 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



verted into a school-house, which was but a continuation of its ancient 
work. Here they met on Sabbath days and discussed and deliberated 
upon the wrongs perpetuated by law against their fellowmen. Among 
their number were the Hutchinsons, natives of the town, the most noted, 
and the sweetest singers of their generation. Their songs for emanci- 
pation and temperance, exerted a mighty influence in waking the sleep- 
ing conscience of the nation. The discussions, the glorious songs, and 
the meetings of this noble band of men and women were forcible, in- 
spiring and eloquent. The work they did far-reaching and successful. 
Some of them, like their great leader, lived to see the chains torn from 
the slave, and the constitution of the United States, purged of its foul 
stain, enabling Mr. Gladstone, the noblest living statesman recently to 
say, that it is the greatest political instrument that ever came from the 
hands of men. If Milford is distinguished for anything, it is for the 
unselfish and sublime work of these splendid men and women, in the 
grandest movement of the country, for human rights. 

This generation, which is living in the glad sunshine of human free- 
dom, can have but an imperfect idea of what it required in those daj'S to 
be abolitionists. It took intelligence and ability, courage and tremendous 
persistency. They met social ostracism, slight, scorn and sneers ; but 
they triumphed. They constituted an intelligent, all-powerful, vital 
force which won in this community and this nation. The abolitionists 
of the North led in a charge which changed the tone of American his- 
tory, and they have left an imperishable impress upon the character of 
their country. 

In consequence of the anti-slavery agitation, and the almost unani- 
mous attitude of the free states, in opposition to the extension of slave 
territory, the greatest civil war the world has ever known was inaugu- 
rated by the same destructive hand, that had been chiefly instrumen- 
tal in defiling the fundamental law of the land. It was a bold and 
infamous assault by the slave power, at the point of the bayonet, upon 
the life of the nation and the rights of humanity. Never was an attack 
of traitors more courageously met by a nation's defenders. The call to 
arms by Abraham Lincoln aroused and united the pati'iots of the land. 
It stirred to immediate action everywhere the lovers of liberty and law. 

In Milford, a recruiting office was at once opened in the town hall, 
and forty-eight men enrolled for their country's defence. There was no 
hesitation and no delay. A committee of some of its leading citizens 
was chosen, who were authorized to equip a company, pay all expenses, 
and aid and support their families. Its selectmen were empowered to 
borrow tlie sum of three thousand dollars for immediate use. This was 
but the beginning of a series of generous and patriotic acts on the part 
of the town reaching to the end of the rebellion. One hundred and 
ninety-six of its noble citizens engaged in the conflict. They were the 
flower of its population. Sixty of these lost their lives by the war, forty 
of whom were never brought home to be buried. Thirteen were slain in 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 41 

battle. Their names are in Milford's Valhalla, and are embalmed in 
immortal fame with the heroes of the Republic. 

But courage and patriotism are not peculiar to man. Courage is 
graceful and dignified, and as woman excels in grace and dignity, shi is 
full of courage and self-sacrifice. "Woman is the blood royal of life " 
It has been said that wherever a human being is suffering, his sighs oidl 
a woman to his side. The women of Milford began patriotic work at 
home before even the sounds from the rebel cannon on Sumter's w- Is 
had died away. With the instinct, and the intelligence, native to thjir 
sex, they early saw that the terrible ordeal through which the nation 
must pass, if saved, required their active sympathy and co-operation. 
And the record of what they did for the families of the soldiers at home ; 
and what they did for the sick and dying on the battle-fields of the war, 
are among the most precious facts connected with the history of the 
town. All honor to the memory of the splendid work of these noble 
women. 

This is but a glimpse of what Milford did in the mighty conflict. 
Her work in this behalf was not excelled by any community of its size 
in New England. 

In social reforms, in temperance, and in all good and great moral 
movements, the town has long been a shining light. In fraternal organ- 
izations it has done splendid work. Benevolent Lodge of Free and 
Accepted Masons, is the oldest and most notable of these institutions. 
Its history stretches along the entire century, and its members have been 
and are among its foremost citizens. Its banners are still waving and 
its good work still going on. 

It is not in schools and churches, in moral agitation, and the strug- 
gle for freedom that Milford's record is alone resplendent with noble 
action. It may be said of these achievements that " time and chance 
happeneth to them all." But in those modest and essential pursuits, in 
the every day and practical affairs of life, in the home, in agriculture, 
manufactures and mining, trade and transportation, in men and women, 
who faithfully perform the duties of important and unpretentious citi- 
zenship, in which a vast majority of its people have been, and are en- 
gaged, and which form the groundwork of the Republic, comprising its 
active forces and power, our retrospect is equally delightful and satis- 
factory. 

All the way through the mazy past, for a hundred years, unmistak" 
able evidences of a substantial, vigorous, and industrious people are seen. 
Its inhabitants have been largely composed of rugged farmers, besoiled 
with honest labor, and graced with a rare intelligence ; of skillful, toil- 
worn craftsmen and manufacturers, equally enlightened; of bright and 
enterprising tradesmen, successfully prosecuting a necessary business. 
They have been men of forethought, sagacity and industry, who have 
grown strong, standing by hearthstones, consecrated by the virtues of 
their fathers. These are the men who have made "the wheels go round." 
They have kept the old township steadily growing. It would be a pleas- 



42 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



ure not within the limits of this occasion, to call their roll of honor. 
They are the heroes of the victories of Peace and Industry. 

Moreover those who have wrought here in the so-called learned pro- 
fessions, have made the town their debtor, and contributed to the char- 
acter and reputation of this people. Among them have been men of 
mark and distinction, Livermore, Wadleigh, Lull, Averill. Their names 
are here recalled with pleasure and pride. It will be time to speak of 
others of her sons and citizens, who give high promise, when their work 
is done. 

It has been said that the old New England home is now chiefly 
known, not by what it is, or what it retains, but by what it has sent 
forth into the world. And when we look abroad and see the sons and 
daughters who have gone from us, who are in positions of trust and dig- 
nity, and are leaders among the men and women of the land, our hearts 
swell with honest pride. 

Notwithstanding Milford has always had a good supply of doctors 
and lawers, her citizens have lived to a good old age, and been fairly 
prosperous. It is quite evident the people have refrained from taking 
much of the medicine of either class. Indeed, the town has had a 
remarkably peaceable career. It has never had any great law suit. It 
has had the usual agitation about the location of school-houses, and 
town house, but it has rarely indulged in the services of the profession. 
When the station of the Wilton Railroad was located, eminent counsel, 
among whom were Mr. Atherton, at one time a Senator, and Mr. Pierce, 
at one time President of the United States, were employed. This was 
an exception. The town has always been at peace with its neighbors 
and all mankind. 

Of old-time customs and new-time foibles ; the husking bees, the 
finding of the red ear, the apple parings, spelling matches, blind man's 
buff, the military trainings, sham fights and musters. Sabbath school 
picnics, singing schools, and horse trots, chasing the greased pig, catch- 
ing suckers fi'om the old Fish Rock, dancing in the old Buxton tavern, 
sliding down Daddy Hay's hill with pretty girls, boating by moonlight 
on the Souhegan, making cider, raising hops and hens, roller skating, 
bicycling, base ball crazes, foot ball cranks, and duplicate and drive whist 
maniacs, this is no time to speak. They aie all respectfully referred to 
Milford's Historical Surveyor. 

There is much in our history that is in common with many other 
New Hampshire towns. The early struggles were like those endured by 
all of the old settlements around us . The hardships and difficulties of 
the first white inhabitants can hardly be appreciated now. Life was a 
constant battle with the earth and the elements. Fear and uncertainty 
were stinmlated by menace and massacre. Later, when the town was 
incorporated, it required strong arms and stout hearts, to extract from 
our common mother enough to sustain life, without social comforts or 
educational or religious blessings. The genius of invention had not 
then supplied machinery that will act and think. Steam had not been 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 43 

heard in this valley. Electricity had not been employed in the trans- 
mission of thought and power. Ether, the destroyer of the terror and 
pain of the surgeon's knife, was an undiscovered friend of humanity. 

But without any of these helps, the builders of Milford have pushed 
on, and kept pace with the march of events. They have trained in the 
army of human progress, and have always been abreast with the times. 
The result of this marvelous energy and enterprise is seen in one of the 
most intelligent and thrifty communities to be found anywhere. Its 
splendid farms, thriving manufactures, and newly developed quarries of 
granite, sufficient in quantity to build a dozen Londons, and of such ex- 
quisite quality as to be fit for the puaposes of art, are its material 
wealth, while its charming scenery and its beautiful location , give as- 
surance of continued growth and prosperity. 

And can we not felicitate ourselves, not only that our ancestral 
home is in New Hampshire, the good old Granite State, whose moun- 
tains almost touch the stars, and whose air and water are as pure as the 
light of heaven, but in New England, whose sons have fought in every 
" battle for God and humanity " for two hundred and seventy-five years, 
whose genius is guided by liberty, learning and law, and whose domain, 
though rough, and rugged, and bleak, is yet the garden of the world. 

The place of our birth is the beautiful vision of childhood. The 
old home, the fields, the lanes, the meadows and the brook, the school- 
house and the church, the town-house, the store-keeper, the shoe maker 
and the village blacksmith, the minister, the lawyer, the school-master 
and the old family physician, how good and true and noble they were. 

We have indeed a goodly patrimony. We have inherited a good 
name ; we must not only transmit it, which is infinitely better than to 
receive it, but, in the language of New England's greatest philosopher . 
" Let us shame the fathers by superior virtue in the sons." 

What is to be the fate of the country town is a much mooted ques- 
tion. Its destiny in New England has been the cause of anxiety on the 
part of those who believe that in the old country communities, which were 
settled and controlled by Puritan and Pilgrim influences, there has been 
almost perfection in government. The thought, that such grand old 
towns are to be drained and dwarfed by the enormous drafts made upon 
them by gi-eat cities, is not pleasant. It is not encouraging to see the 
bright young people, in whose hands lie so much power for good and 
growth, turn their backs upon the old homesteads and adorn other 
scenes. Landscapes are never quite perfect, unless touched and fringed 
with the flowers of civilization. They need humanity, the vigor of man 
and the grace of woman, to crown them. A house without an inmate, 
though artistically perfert, a forest untrodden by man, although full of 
nature's pictures, present few attractions. They must be frequented 
by man, the noblest work of God, to give them life, and to inspire them 
with a vital interest. The old town must be populated to be either use- 
ful or beautiful. It will be. The time will come when the tide will turn 
from the city to the country. 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



While youth is restless, under the limitations of a retired neighbor- 
hood, and desires more active scenes, there comes a time in the lives 
of most people, when they long to go back to the old home and rest 
amidst rural beauties. Tacitus found the early English lace a nation of 
farmers, cultivating the soil, each for himself, " as woodside, plain, or fresh 
spring attracts him," loving the country and hating the city. The love 
of land in the Saxon breast is as strong as the love of liberty. It seeks 
dominion over the soil. Its danger lies iu its excessive gratification. It 
is disposed to gi-asp vast territories and to be monarch over immense 
tracts. Such a disposition should be discouraged. It bodes no good to 
the township. As the size of landed estates increases, population de- 
creases. This was true seventeen centuries ago iu Britain, Italy and 
Gaul. It is equally true to-day. A thousand acres, with fifty or one 
hundred owners, is far better for the community, than the same number 
of acres with one owner. Small farms owned by their occupants, well 
tilled ; beautiful homes owned by their occupants, well filled ; a variety 
of industries thriftily pursued ; these, with cozy summer houses, dotting 
the hill-sides arui their attendant churches and school houses, increase 
the beauty, the wealth, the populatioi), and the intelligence of the coun- 
try town, and contribute to the strength, the power and safety of the 
nation. A town, thus coastituted, is a desirable place in which to live. 
It will always be attractive and always grow. Biu-ns, after he had fuUy 
tested the "vain pomp and glory of the world," said: " To a man who 
has a home, however humble and remote, if that home is, like mine, the 
scene of domestic comfort, the bustle of Edinburgh will soon be a busi- 
ness of sickening disgust." 

Moreover, the country town that is reached by the raih'oad, the tele- 
graph and the telephone, and most of them are, is no longer remote. 
Steam and electricity have annihilated time and distance, and made com- 
fort and convenience cosmopolitan. The news of the world reaches the 
farmer's door, almost as soon as it does the commercial centre, and 
knowledge is disseminated with marvelous equality. The luxuries of 
every clime are almost as near the cottage of the husbandman, as the 
palace of the city banker; and the city and tlie town are moving 
towards each other with astounding i-apidity. 

And yet great man flee to great centres as whales to the deep sea. 
After Plutarch and Raphael discovered their ability they went to Rome 
as Burns did to Edinburgh. Large cities have always attracted genius 
and great minds, for in them is appreciation and scope. Herodatuswent 
to Athens in search of educated men and an intelligent audience. 
Napoleon went to Paris, Webster to Boston. If the motive were praise, 
or gain or fame, it would be strong and all-powerful. 

But while genius is apt to seek the multitude it is frequently born 
in solitude. Goethe says: "Talent is perfected in solitude." An 
ancient philosopher has said : " That the first thing necessary for a per- 
fectly happy man is that he should be born a citizen of some famous 
city." Many are not thus privileged, if it is a privilege. Cicero, who has 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 45 

been doomed to an immortality, in this world, and who was the greatest 
of great orators, was born far back in the country, more than seventy 
miles from Rome, afterwards the theatre of his matchless career. 
"Shakespeare, towering above all the poets of ancient and of modern 
times, as fresh to-day as he was three hundred years ago, the greatest 
mii'acle of intellect that perhaps has ever adorned the world," first saw 
heaven's light, at an abnost unknown spot, called Stratford-on-Avon, 
now world-renowned as the place of his birth. Cromwell, who arrested 
the power of the House of Stuart, and changed the whole course of Eng- 
lish history, was bred to peaceful occupations, and lived for the most part 
in the country until forty years of age, but was buried with regal pomp 
among the ancient Kings of England. "Washington and Lincoln, true 
students of nature, and noble sons of God, beginning life amidst rurul 
scenes and ending with the adoration of their country. A vast majority 
of the men and women who have made our country, who have fought 
our battles and won position and fame, have been blessed with a child- 
hood in the rural district, thus obtaining natural force and power. 

That the mind and body are more or less affected by the climate, 
atmosphere and scenery that surround early life, is an undoubted fact ; 
and while education begins in the cradle and the nursery, it does not 
end in the university. Life is a constant school. A large majority of 
active men and women acquire their vigor of mind from the unprinted 
literature to be found in forest, sky, street and field, as well as the count- 
ing room and business. "Nature educates, life educates, society edu- 
cates. Outward circumstances, inward experiences, and social influences, 
make up a large part of human culture." The country town and the 
populous city each possess special charms and marked advantages. The 
one supplements the other. Both are essential to the development of a 
great nation. 

The history of Milford, beginning but a few years after the United 
States had achieved independence, covers a hundred years of the most 
marvellous developments known to man. Ten such decades the world 
has never before seen. A comparison between then and now, reveals a 
most startling revolution in opinion, methods of thinking, and ways of 
living. Such an assemblage of new inventions, such an array of newly 
discovered facts, physical, moral and scientific, inspire the belief that 
there is scarcely no end to the possible accomplishments of the human 
race. The imperial and majestic power of man never was so obvious as 
now. Never before did human destiny^ give promise of such splendid 
fruition. 

One hundred years ago I Who can paint the wrongs that were then 
tolerated? Millions of manacled slaves all through the civilized world; 
the tortures of the Press-gang; the ghastly flogging of soldiers and 
sailors ; men and women hung for stealing bread to defeat starvation ; 
debtors incarcerated in prison when overcome with the weight of obli- 
gations innocently and honestly incurred ; women executed as witches ; 
men burned at the stake by the command of tyrants ; paupers sold at 



46 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

auction to the lowest bidder; taxes mercilessly imposed, to support 
creeds and crime. 

What a transition the century has witnessed ! Then they relied on 
the zeal of the Parson to warm the church. Now the warmth of the 
church inspires the pastor. Then they employed a beadle to wake the 
sleeping congregations; now those who put them to sleep are expected 
to wake them again. Then they walked, carrying their shoes iu their 
hands until in sight of the church door. Now they go by steam and 
electricity, in carriages, cars and bicycles. Then there was heard on 
evei-y hand the injunction " he that hath ears to hear let him hear." 
Now the spirit of the age says, "he that hath brains to think let him 
think." Mental indolence, like physical, is regarded as a criminal neg- 
lect of the most magnificent opportunities of life. At the clubs, in the 
taverns, with the newspapers, the wits, the great men of action, the men 
of art, literature, science, and learning, with those in the so-called hum- 
bler walks of life, in the factory and the mine, the schools and universi- 
ties, the churches and society, in law and justice, morals and manners, 
there has been complete, thorough and radical improvement. In gov- 
ernment itself, which is the highest aspiration of worldly struggles, the 
progress has been marked and universal. 

And the chief interest of this glorious anniversary is not so much 
the past as the present. Not what our fathers were, but what we are. 
Not what they did as what we are doing. The adornments of the occa- 
sion are not relics of history, but the living sons and daughters of Milford, 
its cultivated citizens, its men and women of education, enlightenment 
and character : " here are to be found its true interest, its chief strength, 
its real jDower." These are the trophies of its centennial year. 

This is not our only cause of congratulation. We are holding our 
family reunion, not in a dilapidated old homestead grown up and dis- 
figured with briers and bushes, with the moss covered bucket tliat hangs 
in the well, tumbling to pieces, with the latch-string broken or gone, 
with open doors creaking on rusty hinges, with bare walls and empty 
larder, with mould and decay everywhere visible, but rather in a com- 
modious and beautiful spot, siu-rounded with every sign and equipment 
of modern civilization. We are welcomed to a model town, with physi- 
cal comfort and spiritual grace. Its picture to-day is one of thrift, enter- 
jirise and beauty. Its farms were never greener ; its shops never more 
attractive; its quarries of immaculate gi-anite never more promising]; 
its printing press never brighter or more active ; its schools and churches 
never more prosperous ; its citizens never more enthusiastic and intelli- 
gent ; and its charming homes never more numerous and elegant ; and 
so, with loyalty and filial reverence we say, " Let the dead past bury its 
dead," we are for tlie living present and for Milford as she is and will be. 
" And green forever be the graves, 

And bright the flowing sod, 
Where first the child's glad spirit loves 
Its country and its God." 




-2 ^-J'^^ 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 47 



JOHN W. HUTCHINSON. 

President Wallace: — One of the most remarkable and interesting 
productions of the town was the celebrated Hutchinson family of sing- 
ers, whose songs have delighted and instructed thousands and whose 
fame was not confined to this country, all of whom have passed away 
except one, John W. Hutchinson, the sole survivor of the family, who 
will favor us with an original song appropriate to the occasion. 

"HOIvie; ok my boyhood." 

" O, home of my boyhood, my own native home, 
I love it the better wherever I roam." 

Countrymen, Citizens, Neighbors and Friends : 

We have reason to congratulate each other that we are privileged, 
under these favorable auspices, to assemble to celebrate an event like 
this — the establishment of the municipality, our town government. 

More than a hundred years ago, our fathers settled in this beautiful 
valley of the Souhegan, fertilized from the waters that coursed along 
among these surrounding hills, by brooks and rivulets that are tributary 
to our beloved stream, gently flowing and flooding its banks, paying 
tribute by enriching its meadows and plains and insuring temporal bless- 
ings. 

" Friends we all loved dwelt by these banks. 
And made their margins dear." 

Blessed associations and thrilling memories of every event cluster 
about the century just past. One who for more than three-fourths of this 
time has personally taken cognizance of the eventful periods, finds his 
mind thrilled as memory presents to his view the scenes so connected 
with the locality. It fills my soul with gratitude, though mingled with 
sadness, that I have lived so much in this eventful century. 

''Where are the friends of my youth?" Many are lost in the 
grave's unconscious womb — yet fond memory brings to light the many 
pleasurable days with our associates ; the family circle, the common pub- 
lic school, so dear to every Yankee that it makes him revolt at every 
attempt to interrere with the plan of our fathers. The church in its 
primitive excellence, founded and established by the common demand 
of our spiritual and social nature, a factor in our relations in the body 
politic, and of consolation under affliction, linking the best of this tran- 
sitory existence to the real and the eternal, where the great majority re- 
side. "Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together." Music, the 
church's handmaid, plays an important part in its perpetuity. 

I ought to say a word in regard to the building of the Baptist — 
now Methodist — church. I have been en rapport with the three gener- 
ations extending back more than a century. Our ancestors built well 
and conscientiously. " Uncle " Jesse — my father — and Andrew Hutch- 
inson, two brothers, worked on the building, with my grandfather. An- 



48 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

drew Leavitt, acting as master carpenter, (irandfather Leavitt was a 
soldier of the Revolution. He fought at the battle of Bunker Hill, and 
was one of the 300 who kept the British at bay. Afterward, he was 
detailed to build anew the waste places caused by the burning of Charles- 
town. This patriot received an honorable discharge at the end of seven 
years of conflict. He earnestly and honestly labored with these two 
brothers, for he could handle his kit of tools like an expert, and erected 
the Baptist Church — as he had previously aided in building the Con- 
gregational Church — later converted into a hall for town purposes — on 
the hill just by the north bank of our stream, subsequently removed to 
its present site. Grandfather Hutchinson was a member of this church, 
and served as clerk of the society. 

Here we were nurtured in the tenets of the Baptist persuasion. For 
years, our family formed the principal part of the choir, and here Grand- 
father Leavitt, with father and mother, listened to the first concert of 
the Hutchinson family — tribe of Jesse, thirteen sons and daughters — 
given in the building they had so recently helped to erect. Solomon K. 
Livermore, Esq., a worthy citizen, volunteered and gave a very fine dis- 
course on music. The concert was a success, and compliments were 
most profuse. 

It was on the farm we disciplined our voices, and learned to chant 
songs of freedom and of praise to the God of our fathers. We em- 
braced, as we thought, a religion that welcomed all the race of man to a 
common plane of brotherhood ; our hearts beat in sympathy for the 
oppressed of all nations, and our souls were fired with indignation by 
the wrongs of four millions of bondmen. So we sang through the land 
in their behalf — 

" Pity kind geutlemen, friends of humanity, 
Cold is the world to the cries of God's poor ; 

Give us our freedom, ye friends of Christianity, 
Give us our rights, for we ask nothing more." 

As members of the quartette, Judson. John, Asa and Abby, the four 
youngest of the family, we early trained our voices to sing with spirit 
and understanding, and soon moved the hearts of the public and won 
its plaudits. Here we commenced our original style of concerts, and 
after entertaining the people in the vicinity, ventured to the larger cities, 
Boston and elsewhere. 

There came to our village in 1843 some radicals — William Lloyd 
Garrison and H. P. Rogers, with others. Among them were Parker 
Pillsbury, Stephen Foster, Abby Kelley and Fred Douglass, all laboring 
in the cause of freedom to remove from our escutcheon the stains of 
slavery. They held an anti-slavery meeting in the Congregational 
church. This, with similar meetings, aroused attention and sympathy 
for the down-trodden. The sentiments promulgated were in accord with 
our own, and so we joined the army of the Lord, to battle against the 
mighty. Most of our townsfolk enjoyed the music, though some would 
deride. But we heeded not their opposition, for the "God bless you " 
that came from a true abolitionist outweighed and tipped the beam of 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 49 



the scoffer or scornful, so we blessed them iu return. All of the reform* 
ers mentioned frequently visited and were entertained at our house. 

It might be profitable, if time would allow, to recite the names of 
hundreds of men and women, some few of whom survived the wreck of 
time and rounded out 100 years. We must recall Mrs. Towne, whose 
lights were not shadowed by cares and sorrows. Still the moment of 
demise came and her soul was wafted to the realms of eternal light. At 
our last call this centenarian held in her embrace the new family Bible 
just presented by Sister Abby and acknowledged the testimonial in sweet 
accented sentences, after which we sang : — 

" My sister I wish you well ; 

When our I^ord calls, I trust we shall be mentioned in the promised land." 

With her "amen," we breathed one more strain : — 

" We are almost home, to join the Angel band," 

A veteran of the Revolution, Col. Joshua Burnham, resided near my 
father's house. He presented my brother, who bore his name, his silk 
sash, which he once wore on parade when it was reviewed by General 
Washington. This is cherished as an heirloom. I remember some 
titled comrades once visiting him in his humble cot. They said one was 
of Washington's staff. He was an honored pensioner, and passed away 
at the age of 95. His epitaph reads thus : — 

"Soldier of the Revolution, zealous in his country's cause. 
Faithful to the Constitution and obedient to its laws." 

So the periods of time have marked the demise of the dear ones, the 
memory of whose virtues will be cherished by all succeeding generations. 
Patriots who toiled and in their country's cause bled nobly, and their 
deeds, as they desei-ve, received proud recompense. 

Some names of our acquaintances we delight to mention, prominent 
among them : The Peabodys, Buxtons, Stimpson, Pearsons, Burns, Aver- 
ill, Bartlett, Ramsdell, Moore, Crosbys, Chase, Mills. The several tribes 
of Hutchinson, numbering at one time more than a hundred souls, all 
claiming kinship through somewhat remote scions with the family tree 
of 270 years' growth in America, were found scattered up and down in 
the valleys and on the hills on either side of the river. Nearly all were 
agriculturalists. With the culture of cereals and vegetables, we, with 
most of the farming communities, obtained a large revenue from hop 
raising, The gathering of the crop was most pleasing, associated with 
aid from the men and women of our neighborhoods, who gathered in 
groups about the hop boxes, vieing with each other in their efforts to fill 
the largest heap of the cleanest picked into the box. The odor from the 
hops was most vivifying ; love stories were told, or songs were sung, 
while all looked forward to the pay day. How solicitous were the pro- 
prietors as the inspector, Stephen Peabody, rode up the lane, and cutting 
a hole in the closely packed bag, took therefrom a handful of hops, and 
brought it in contact with his nose. Everything depended on the smell, 
for first or second would be the grade according to his whim. Opinious 



50 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

varied, but the ready cash that came in the sale of the article was judi- 
ciously appropriated for the comfort of the families. The wives some- 
times received the long-promised calico dress, and the children some 
shoes. Economy was a cardinal virtue for old and young in those days, 
for there was an established principle to pay one's debts. 

In Washingtonian times we espoused the temperance reform. With 
this great reform came the giving up of the hop culture, so we sang 
" Plow up your hops " at a grand Convention held on Fourth of July. 
Cider making was much diminished. It was said one farmer in South 
Milford was so carried away by the excitement that he cut down all of 
his cider apple trees. The order of the Sons of Temperance was first 
organized in our hall, and Milford, for years, was the banner temperance 
town, so acknowledged by the state. Again, we raised our voices against 
this traffic, and the song was : — 

" King Alcohol has many forms 
By which he catches men ; 
He is a beast of many horns, 
And ever thus has been." 
There's rum and gin and beer and wine. 
And brandy of logwood hue, 
And these, with other fiends combined. 
Will make any man look blue. 
He says, be merry. 
For here's your cherry, 
And port End sherry, 
And Tom and Jerry, 
And spirits of every hue, 
O, are not these a fiendish crew, 
As ever mortal knew ? 

The sequel to these excitements established sober homes. We held 
many temperance meetings and concerts, under the auspices of the State 
Temperance Committee or Associations. 

How proud we, a band of fourteen boys, were to play our martial 
music as we marched at the head of the parade on training and muster 
days, each blowing with might his own air into his favorite instrument. 
The Kings, Halls, Turner, Buxton, Goss, French, were names of some of 
these musicians, members of the band. I delight to number with them 
Major Phineas Stimpson, who was the fifer and drummer. His occupa- 
tion was as a boot and shoemaker, and he whistled and hummed at every 
stitch he drew in his shoe. He was a lover of the art of music, and 
taught the rudiments in those early days — a worthy citizen. He served 
as undertaker for years. 

Mr. Richardson directed the Baptist choir for a period, but resigned 
in favor of Brother Joshua, who served as chorister for the choir for 
twenty-five years. He had, as co-workers, his brothers, and so famous 
was the singing that the Congregational Society engaged brother Judson, 
and he, with Asa and myself, led the singing for a season. Jesse was 
then leading a choir in Lynn. 

How well I remember the singing of three ladies who aided us- 
They were students in the female seminary, coming from adjoining 




^^*''°°- Jesse. Hale. Kdmund. 

DEARBORN MALE QUARTETTE. 
Who sang "How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood." 
Sons of the late Dr. Thomas Benton Dearborn and Kate Hutchinson Dearborn. Grandsons 
of the late Judson J. Hutchinson of the original "Hutchinson Family." 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 51 

towns, and our hearts and souls were kindled with a flame of sacred love, 
and we worshiped at these shrines, and the associations ripened into 
harmony. Their names were Sarah French, Jane R. French and Try- 
phenia Tapper. Jane is still living in Milford. At last, we unitedly re- 
solved to make propositions for engagement, and on Saturday night, 
each repaired to the home of his sweetheart, and asked the question, 
" Will you be mine V " The answers were to be announced at our meet- 
in.:^ the following day, but as the course of true love never does run 
smooth, the order was put in abeyance, and we were obliged to abide on 
probation : — 

" Better, some adviser said, 
To always court and never wed." 

Our family erected a building near the stone bridge, opposite the 
Baptist Church, and dedicated a hall, naming it Liberty Hall. Here 
meetings were held. Free discussions were permitted. We sang of 
freedom, as we could not sing in our old Baptist Church. Some said we 
would wreck our prospects of fame and fortune. What cared we, as 
long as we were in the way of duty ? The very atmosphere was perme- 
ated with the pro-slavery spirit. It had captivated the whole nation 
church, and state. 

The United States suffered from the stigna of slavery in every nook 
and corner. The anti-slavery people were persecuted, mobbed, and 
driven from halls and churches where they attempted to speak. The 
fugitive slave law was enacted, compelling all citizens to become watch 
dogs to hunt down the runaways escaping from the tyrant's grasp en 
route towards the North Star of freedom. 

We sang the song dedicated to Fred Douglass by brother Jesse : 

" I'll be free ! I '11 be free ! and none shall confine 
With fetters and bonds this free spirit of mine ! 
From my youth I have vowed in my God to rely. 
And despite the oppressor, gain freedom or die. 
Though my back is all torn by the merciless rod, 
Yet firm is my trust in the right arm of God, 
In His strength I '11 go forth, and forever will be 
'Mong the hills of the North, where the bondmen are free." 

We were driven from the cities of Philadelphia, St. Louis, and 
Washington, and threatened with mobs in New York and Boston. In 
the latter city. Burns, the fugitive, was remanded back to slavery. The 
poor Whig party, by its mouthpiece, Daniel Webster, had fully suc- 
cumbed to this element. The South became en rapport with the democ- 
racy, and the Free Soil Party was filling its ranks with the best of the 
scattere-d fragments of the once proud though compromising Whig party 
which at last was reduced to the makeshift of such nominees as Bell and 
Everett, they receiving but three thousand votes in the canvass. So we 
sang : — 

" Edward Everett oped his mouth 
For the votes of the South, 
But his wishy-washy speech was so rotten 
That it struck to his spine 
And he took a bee-line 
I/Odged in State Street, behind a bag of cotton." 



52 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



But Freeinont was not elected, and time sped on. The opposition 
and excitement were at a white heat. Buchanan, the president, was 
bewildered, and the fire eaters wer(; in danger of wrecking the ship of 
state. Lincoln, the Republican candidate, was nominated amid the 
storm of dissolving party strife; the campaign was vigorously prosecuted, 
and victory crowned the efforts of the new party. Lincoln was inaugu- 
rated, surrounded by the bitterest of traitors who had dogged his steps 
from Springfield, Illinois, to the Capitol — all the time in danger of as- 
sassination, and only by the timely announcement of the obligation rest- 
ing upon him to return the fugitives, was he rendered comparatively 
safe and enabled to take the oath of office. 

Then followed the Rebellion — four years of war; first to save the 
Union, next to emancipate the slave. Milford, like all other loyal towns 
and cities north of Mason and Dixon's line, was aroused to action, and 
all, both Republicans and Democrats, vied with one another iu volun- 
teering in this glorious warfare. 

Some years previous to this, I was discussing with my friend, Oliver 
Lull, in his office, the vexing question of slavery. He spoke in pacific 
terms of the rights of the South, f said to him, " I suppose in keeping 
with your Democratic proclivities, if war was inevitable, you, sir, would 
be inclined to favor your Southern allies, and draw your sword in defence 
of their rights as against the North." 

I can never forget the reply, as, raising himself to his full height 
from his seat, he answered, '■^ No, never \ I would be a volunteer in the 
armies of the North, and fight for Liberty and Union." And for thirty 
vears his widow has been clad in the habiliments of mourning for a 
brave husband, soldier, and patriot, who sacrificed his life in defence of 
his country. Col. Lull's memory will long be cherished for his bravery, 
and all who fought under him will honor his name. The lines of Bryant, 
written for Lincoln, I will dedicate to Milford's noble son: — 

" Thy task is done, the bond are free, 
We bear thee to an honored grave, 
Whose proudest monument shall be 
The broken fetters of the slave. 

Pure was thy life, its bloody close '■% 

Hath placed thee with the sons of light, 

Amid the noble host of those 

Who perished in the cause of right.'' 

To return for a moment, to scenes in old Milford. In those old 
times, farmers contracted with their help during haying time for a supply 
of New England rum. Some could hold more, some less. A pint a day 
was considered a moderate supply. 

All surplus funds from the avails of the Hutchinson's public con- 
certs abroad, we brouglit home to Milford, and they were loaned at 
small interest to our citizens. Thus, many local enterprises were inaugu- 
rated ; houses were built on Hay's hill on funds borrowed from the 
Ilutchinsons. We purchased the old neglected store once occupied by 
Abial Lovejoy. He kept a gi-ocery and dry goods store, and fui-nished 




METHODIST CHURCH. 
As it was before it was remedellecl. 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 53 



cod fish and crackers and rum and gin for the militia, which companies, 
on training days, rendezvoused in the old hall. The building was re- 
paired at an expense of |4,000 for stores, tenements, and a new, capa- 
cious hall above, dedicated on one Fourth of July to freedom. 

I purchased of Dr. Fuller this estate, on which now stands our town 
hall, the library, and banquet hall, the bank building, the brick school- 
house, and numerous stores and dwellings. These lots were sold to par. 
ties, and utilized as you see. Our family were present, and sang at the 
laying at the corner stone of the Town Hall. 

We declined to retain funds obtained from the proceeds of local 
concerts, given from time to time. A considerable sum was realized from 
one benefit entertainment for planting and protecting the trees now shad- 
ing the encircling public ground on the square. Our venerable and 
honored townsman. Rev. Mr. Moore, set the elm now standing in the 
centre. He said to me, "The sterile soil needs fertilizers. Will you 
allow me to take a few wheelbarrow loads from your field ? " " Most cer- 
tainly." We assisted him to do what eveiy one ought to do, plant a tree. 
His industrious habits were a constant stimilus to well doing. His 
humor and cheerful sayings were the life and spm- of the town. Origi- 
nality was a marked feature along his professional career, as when he 
" brushed in his wild oats " at college. I recall his mystic prayer on a 
masonic occasion, " We pray for we know not what. If it is good, bless 
it ; if bad, cuss it. Amen." Being a Congregationalist, he could do no 
better. He was a sprinkler. Immersion with him was superfluous. I 
heard him pray thus, at a Baptist revival. "One Lord, one faith." The 
latter word was very much suppressed and qualified. He did not wish 
to oftend. And he was asked by brother Joshua, concerning his health, 
and answered in his lisping way: "I am perfectly thound above my 
knees." 

" It was said of him, as representative, while discussing, at the State 
House at Concord, some question of thrift among his constituents, that 
he remarked, " one man, Jesse Hutchinson, beside his other products, is 
making money by raising boys. He built a house for his Euclid, and 
Harriet, his wife, both comparatively small people. The question was 
asked him, " What are you going to do ? " He said he was going to raise 
Tom Thumbs. 

Rev. Mark Carpenter, of the Baptist Church, was more of a horse 
jockey than Bro. Moore. He would swap until his steed would win in 
the race. He could hammer his pulpit when his brains refused activity. 
He was a lover of music, however, and could teach. My brother Asa 
and I, being denied the opportunity to attend the public school in the 
village, requested the privilege of reciting our lessons to him, but horse 
was on his mind, he could not take in the jacks, so we repaired to the 
Lyceum, and they heard us gladly. 

One day, being in the Unitarian meeting in the old Town Hall, I 
was seated by Mr. Livermore and daughter. Seeing I had no hymn-book 
that day, he brought me one the following Sunday. He handed me a 



54 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



book, supjjosing it was the very kind. The hymn was called. Opening 
the book, I discovered that a niLstake had been made. I had an arith- 
metic, but being satisfied no evil was intended, 1 kept it open and most 
lustily sang on the hymns as they were given out, and no one noticed 
any discrepancy. In the afternoon he gave me the real hynnis, while he 
had the figures and wrestled with the problem. I struggled to suppress 
a smile until meeting was done, when we shook hands, as honors were 
equal. This proved a tie of warm friendship ever after. 

I think I was the first come-outer in New Hampshire, having with- 
drawn, for conscience' sake, in 1835, after membership from the age of 
10 to 15. 

Looking backward over the century just rounded out, we realize 
that, compared with any previous lUO years, it has proved an eventful 
period in the march of civilization. The inventive genius of the race 
has been taxed to its utmost. We have had handed down to us, as it 
were from some ethereal sphere, the wonders of the ages. The arts and 
sciences have tilled the land with culture, and produced revolutions in 
numerous appliances in the mechanical world, all of which are labor sav- 
ing. When adapted to the necessities of the generation, they will prove 
inestimable blessings to the whole race of man. VV^e mention here a few 
of these great developed powers : Steam, in its multifarious adaptations 
to mechanics. In navigation, it makes the ocean a highway for ponder- 
ous vessels, freighted with the products of all nations. It drives the 
engine with its numerous trains loaded with its human beings over the 
railroad tracks of the land, it " speeds the plow " and sets the millions 
of spindles in our factories in motion. It cooks our food, it warms our 
homes, and to make all safe, it seems but to utter this injunction, 

" Harness me down with your iron bands, 
Be sure of your curb and rein." 

Edison, Thomson, and Houston, with their electric plants controll- 
ing the most powerful element in nature, with its " still small voice," 
commands the thoroughfares of city and country — with its staff pointing 
up toward heaven, touching by its revolving trolley the electric cord, de- 
manding in no uncertain way the mighty propelling power, and with its 
neatness and purity displacing the animal kingdom, whose over-burdened 
draught has so long taxed the sympathies to pity. This power turns 
night into day, and brightens our way, aiding the struggling moonbeam's 
mi.sty light until the orb of day, the eye of the Father of light, elimi- 
nates all darkness. With the advent of these inventions shall many 
more enter smiling at the door. 

But social has not kept pace with mechanical progress. A struggle 
is now pending. The monopolies of wealth have usurped the inventive 
genius of the people for their own aggrandizement, and humbled the 
man to a beggarly attitude. They heed not the voice of the populace, 
" We starve, ice die, give us bread " ( work). There must be sometlimg 
wrung. 




ii\PiisT em RLH 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 55 

The wide door to the arena of politics is about to open, and woman 
is waiting to step in and occupy her sphere as helpmeet to her brother 
man. Our national Congi-ess is a stigma before the world, a satire on 
progress. Its members refuse the light as men alone may do, for their 
deeds are evil. 

VOTE IT RIOHT ^^LONO. 

Who votes for women suffrage now 
Will add new laurels to his brow, 
His children's children, with holy fire 
Will chant in praise their patriot sire. 
No warrior's wreath of glory shed 
A brighter lustre o'er the head 
Than he who battles selfish pride 
And votes with woman side by side. 

This shall unfold his better part. 
Delight his spirit and warm his heart ; 
No jealous thought shall haunt his brain, 
And Eden's peace he shall regain. 
For an equal partner shall be his bride. 
No holy joy shall be denied. 
As equal rights their motto be 
Together journeying o'er life's sea. 

Their first great vote to close shall be 

These gilded haunts of infamy — 

The poor, besotted wretch shall Jknow 

That woman has closed the gates of woe. 

The light of truth shall shine again, 

And temperance on the earth shall reign ; 

The night of darkness disappear. 

The millenial day shine bright and clear. 

Then let us all unite in love 
To emulate the hosts above ; 
Be just, be brave, be good. and true 
' Doing to others as they'd to. you. 

Build high humanity's sacred cause, 
Obeying conscience and its laws, 
We reach at last the ethereal sphere. 
Know God, and all his works revere. 

It would be a good plan to send more educated laymen and fewer 
lawyers to Cong]-ess, or else .some industrial army will grasp the sceptre, 
and a revolution will sticceed this indifference to the cries of God's poor. 

" Life is the time to serve the Lord." This principle has stimulated 
the action of the Hutchinson family, and as opportunity offered, we have 
availed ourselves of a chance to work in His vineyard. At the lec- 
ture given by Frederic Douglass in Boston last month, I was introduced 
to say a few words and to sing a 5ong. I begged the privilege, previous 
to the singing, of introducing George Latimase, once a slave, who had 
accompanied me to the platform. I said that 52 years ago, I went with 
my brother Jesse from Lynn to Boston to rescue this man. We sang, as 
we entered the chapel to meet the convention, " O liberate the bond- 
man." While discussing the plan of rescue, it was announced that the 
slave was free. Some friend, then unknown, had furnished the price 



56 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

set by the master, and $400 ',was paid for his ransom. I said, " What 
lack of wisdom in our legislators and the community at large to sacrifice 
a million of the flower of the laud, and thousands of millions in treasure 
when the poli ;y adopted by the mother countrj', to purchase all the 
slaves and save the agony of transformation might have been adopted. 
This man has been an industrious citizen for more than half a century. 
We then sang "^Over the mountain," etc. 

With my family, sou Harry, and daughter Viola, I sung to the sol- 
diers on the Potomac, and so provoked the rebel element in the army as 
to cause our expulsion. But Lincoln and his cabinet reinstated us, and 
Gen. McClellan was asked to report at Trenton. The government was 
not in favor of returning these contrabands of war. We had sung 
Whittier's great song, " The Furnace Blast." 

At the funeral of Johng G. Whittier I^said a few words, and Sister 
Abby helped me to sing : — 

"As man may, he fought his fight, 
Proved his truth by his eadeavor ; 
Let his name in golden light 
Live!;forever audjforever." 

In behalf of all my brothers and^sisters in the Spirit Land, I would 
say, as they would, be steadfast and ardent; help one another; be zeal- 
ous in love's high calling — " slow to smite and swift to spare " ; labor 
for the country's good. 

Mothers, sisters, lovers ! The millenial day is about to dawn. Lay 
aside the habiliments of mourning ;-;^the day- of rejoicing is at hand. 
You need not apprehend the babes at your breasts will be nursed to sup- 
ply the army of greed and be slaughtered to nourish averice All future 
vexing questions^of diplomacy with the nations of the earth will be 
adjusted by arbitration. 

" O, then will come the glorious day, 

And may it last.forever. 
When all the nations of the earth 

In peace shall dwell together." 

Let this be our motto as we enter in upon the second century of our 
municipality: "The Fatherhood of God aud brotherhood of Man." 




<^2^6^fe^^^«^^«^^^^ 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 57 



HON. Q. A. RAflSDELL. 

President Wallace : — The first century of the town is replete with 
iniportant and interesting events, which it is desirable should be jire- 
served in historical form for the use of the future generations, and not 
be suffered to pass into oblivion. The town is fortunate in having a 
distinguished son descended from two of the noted families of Milford, 
who has kindly undertaken the task for which he is so well fitted by 
education and ability, the Hon. George A. Ramsdell, who will now favor 
us with some historical sketches of Milford. 

Mr. President : 

We are celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of the incorpor- 
ation of this town. But when we think and talk of its real history, it is 
fit and proper to add half a century and think and talk of everything 
which has transpired for one hundred and fifty yeai'S, upon the soil which 
today we proudly caU the town of Milford. 

The first white man to build a human habitation within the present 
limits of the town was Thomas Nevins. His location was in the south- 
eastern part of the town. Nothing remains to mark the spot save evi- 
dences that a cellar once existed. The permanent settlement of the town 
began when William Peabody commenced to clear the farm on the north 
side of the river, which as a part of Amherst had been given to his 
father by the State of Massachusetts, on account of the service of his 
grandfather in King Phillips war, and which remained in the Peabody 
name more than one hundred years. 

In imagination let me roll back the wheels of time one hundred and 
fifty years and what do we here behold. Peabody established on his 
farm — John Shepard with his grist and saw mill erected on the Gilson 
privilege, given to him by the town of Amherst, on condition that he 
build a mill, the machinery of which was to be dragged part of the w^ay 
by hand through the forests — Benj. Hopkins, with his friend and hired 
man Caleb Jones, laying the foundations of his bullet proof dwelling a 
little north of the residence of the late Luke Smith, on his magnificent 
farm of over eleven hundred acres — John Burns hoeing his corn on the 
Geo. W. Duncklee farm about a mile and a half from where we stand. 
These five men with their families (excepting of course the Nevins set- 
tlement) made up the entire population of our territory one hundred and 
fifty years ago. It is not certain that Hopkins and Burns had com- 
pletdcl their dwellings so as to be counted actual settlers in 1744, but 
they were here a part of the year at least at work upon the land. 

These men were followed by Nathan Hutchinson, who bought of 
Hopkins a part of the Charlestown school farm and settled where Edwin 
D. Searles now lives — by Elisha Town whose cabin was built a little 
northeast of the East IMilford railroad station — by Andrew Bradford, who 
settled upon the J. fitch Crosby place — by Abner Hutchinson whose 



58 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



home was near the residence of the hite John Bartlett on the north side 
of the river — by Capt. Josiah Crosby, who chose the farm now owned by 
his descendants on the Wilton road — Ly William Wallace who built upon 
the hillside, near the residence of the late David Hutchinson, on [the old 
Mont Vernon road. Caleb Jones, after serving HopkinsJ'for a sufficient 
time, but less than seven years, took his daughter Deborah for a wife, 
and set up keeping house in what was then known as the mile slip. 

The prosperous condition of things all about us cannot be ac" 
counted for without some reference to the men and women [who made 
the first permanent settlement in this valley. Of the firstjeleven families 
clearing the forests and making the homes here, nine were from Massa- 
chusetts, and presumably of Puritan stock ; two were^f romjthe London- 
derry colony and of Scotch-Irish origin, a good mixture of blood for a 
town, state or nation. I am not unfamiliar with the histories of the New 
Hampshire towns, and with confidence born of careful study, I know it 
can truthfully be said that the men who laid the foundations of this 
town were of no common mould, and that the names of Peabody, 
Shepard, Jones, Nathan Hutchinson, Bradford, Town, Crosby, W^allace 
and Abner Hutchinson, should be pronounced with reverence, notwith- 
standing Jones was a little eccentric and early in life planted a cherry 
tree, had it cut into boards, out of which he made a coffin for his own 
burial, and kept it in his dwelling until the time of his decease. 

These men, with wives who were help meets indeed, were all settled 
upon our soil before the year 173.5, andjjwere in the [front ranks of the 
founders of the town of Milford. There were, in fact, but few other in- 
habitants within our limits at this early day. Of these forefathers it 
can be remarked, that as a whole they were men of uncommon strength 
of character ; that all had honorable careers ; that, v^dthout exception, 
they remained in town, and were buried by theirijchildren, and I believe 
without exception today are honorably represented among the inhabi- 
tants of the town. I have made search for something like it, but find 
no instance where all the jearly settlers are so wellj represented after the 
lapse of nearly a century and a half. 

Jonathan Towne, the!^ ancestor ^of [the late >Wm. E. Towne, to whose 
well-directed zeal in historical matters and productive labor upon the 
early history of Milford familes we are much indebted, came here in 
1759, and was followed by Ebenzer Pearson, in 1762, and long line of 
worthy settlers. 

1 pass by all that these men and their children did in the last cen- 
tury. You have already heard how nobly Capt. Josiah Crosby and others 
bore themselves at Bunker Hill, how valiently Andrew Bradford's son, 
Capt. John, and others, fought at Bennington, and come to the opening 
of the present century. 

The year of 1802 saw the settlement of Humphrey Moore, and the 
year 1809, brought to town the young lawyer, Solomon K. Livermore. 

They were men of large minds and warm hearts, gi-aduates of Har- 
vard College and life-long friends. I doubt not that these men, during 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 59 

the earlier days of their active manhood, had many good and true help- 
ers, but to us who knew them well, they stand out with commanding 
prominence, when we think of the first half of the century. The town 
had the best they had to give. They were servants of the public, and 
every man their neighbor. None were too poor or ignorant to cross the 
tlireshold of their dwellings. The impress of their lives appears in many 
another life, and your streets and public places continue to tell of them. 
While in the early history of many towns social distinctions, founded on 
the uneqal distribution of wealth, have existed, and some houses have 
been counted too good for common people to enter, there was not and 
never has been any of it here. The only aristocracy I have ever heard 
of in Milford has been and is the aristocracy to which we all aspire to 
belong — the aristocracy of noble souls. 

t . The fathers whom I have named in connection with Stephen Pea- 
body, Abiel Lovejoy and Dr. John Wallace, laid the foundations of the 
Milford Lyceum in 1831. I refer much of the past and present intellec- 
tual activity of the town to this most helpful institution. In it two gen- 
erations were educated. While it issued no diplomas ^every man grad- 
uating from it took with him something in some respect better than the 
traditional sheepskin — the ability to think and write and defend himself 
" and his cause " in public speech. The town has been fortunate, not 
only in its men who laid the foundations ; the men who guided affairs 
in the earlier {part of the century, but in the men as I remember them 
from the year 1840 to ^the close of the Civil war (most of whom have 
joined the majority and can be spoken of freely), who bore the burdens 
of society, giving it the tone it has had and the character it now bears. 
They were men of thought as well as action, and I believe were in large 
measure intellectually developed by^the village lyceum. Without doubt 
the business impetus which the town took on diuing these years would 
have come without the lyceum ; that manufacturing under Geo. Daniels, 
Hiram A. Daniels and others would have flom'ished; that the business 
zeal which Daniel Putnam and Leonard Chase possessed, and which was 
such a powerful factor in the development of the towns' resom'ces would 
have shown itself without a lyceum and yet I am persuaded that the posi- 
tion of the town as a community of commanding influence in the state ; 
as the home of many actors in the temperance and anti-slavery causes 
has been attained very largely by reason of the existence for thirty 
consecutive years of the Milford Lyceum. The Hutchinson family of 
singers afterwards famous and the givers of fame and name to the town, 
were in part at least brought out by the lyceum. All honor to the old 
lyceum. 

In smaller and less prosperous towns we walk about the streets and 
within ancient burial places where 

" The rude forefathers of the hamlet sleep," 

with feeling akin to that experienced in visiting old and decayed coun- 
tries, and can hardly suppress the words " Illumfuit," for all about us 
are evidences that at some former time there was more of thrift, intelli- 



eO> MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

gence, and solid acquisition than at present. But in our history it can 
trutlifully be said that much as the present is debtor to the past, and 
much as we revere the men who laid the foundations of present prosper- 
ity, their descendents with new blood from almost every (^uaiter of the 
compass, are proving themselves equal to the task of making the town 
all that has been hoped for and prophesied of it in the past. 

In closing his remarks, the historian is glad to certify that he has 
played the part of the inquisitor, and rinds that at all times and under 
all circumstances during the century and a half, in war as well as peace, 
Milford has honored all drafts made upon the town, and that in the exer- 
cise of the prophetic gift which all historians are allowed to call into 
use, he sees nothing but abundant prosperity in store for the good old 
town. 

HON. ALBERT E. PILLSBURY. 

President Wallace : — The Town of Milford has with her to-day, one 
of her sons, a descendant of one of New Hampshire's best families, who 
in winning the highest distinction in the legal profession in Massachu- 
setts, has reflected credit and honor on his native town, and for whom 
there is always a warm spot in her heart, the Hon. Albert E. Pillsbury, 
Ex-Attorney General of Massachusetts, who will now address you. 

( Mr. Pillsbury's remarks are here reproduced, so far as they can be, 
from recollection, aided by noted made at the time.) 

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen, Citizens and Natives 
OF Milford : 

At this horn- of the afternoon I suspect that you will pay most 
attention to the voice of the clock, which has just reminded us that these 
exercises, with the heat of the day, may overtax yom- commendable 
patience, and that the things which are left unsaid may please you best. 
Fortunately for us who come after them, the orator of the day and the 
town historian have admirably covered the ground of the occasion. I 
think of one thing, however, which the orator and the historian have not 
said, though doubtless they have thought of it. It must have floated 
across their minds, as perhaps it has across yours, that when the history 
of yom- second century is written, we shall find on one of its earlier pages, 
something like this : " It was a hapi^y and appropriat3 coincidence that 
New Hampshire joined with Milford to celebrate her centennial year by 
taking one of her sons to fill the office of Governor, while the legislature 
chosen at the same time elevated another to a seat in the Senate of the 
United States." 

As the parent town of Amherst is oflacially represented here, and 
has been heard from, it may be in order for a citizen of Massachusetts 
to say a word in behalf of the parent Commonwealth. If I were not 
here as a son of Milford, but as a Massachusetts man, I should say that 
Milford is only a part of Massachusetts gone astray. The earliest juris- 




HON. ALBERT E. PILLSBURY. 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 61 

diction exercised over this territory was by Massachusetts. The earliest 
land grants here were made by Massachusetts. And while the people of 
New Hampshire have a notion that the order of snuffy old George 11 in 
1740 fixed and settled the southern boundary of the state over yonder 
where it now is, that boundary has always been the subject of much 
dispute, and I warn his Excellency, the Governor, that Massachusetts still 
has a covetous eye on the southern part of his province. I have heard 
of an old woman who lived near the southerly line of North Carolina, 
who objected loudly to a proposed scheme to annex her strip of territory 
to South Carolina, on the ground that she had always heard that South 
Carolina was a very unhealthy state. If it should turn out by some 
new correction of the surveyor's lines that Milford really belongs in 
Massachusetts, I can assure you of a hospitable reception into that Com- 
monwealth, and that its climate is salubrious. And in view of this pos- 
sibility I congi-atulate my friend Ramsdell that he is running for gov- 
ernor now. I have some reasons to believe that New Hampshire is a 
better state for that purpose than Massachusetts, at least for a New 
Hampshire man. 

If I should indulge in the reminiscences which the day naturally 
suggests, I fear this audience would be as far away before I finished, as 
my memory is at this moment. The orator of the day has made a just 
and appropriate reference to the old brick school-house ; but I must re- 
mind him that another generation has passed across this stage since his 
time. I cannot forbear to say a word of the Milford High School, one 
of the earliest and one of the best in New Hampshire. In that school 
we were taught that most valuable lesson, which we have had occasion to 
apply every day of om- lives, — to find out the reason of things. We 
were taught not only facts, but the meaning and significance of the facts. 
I am glad of this opportunity to acknowledge my own obligation to a 
teacher who understood that the end of education is not to cram the 
youthful mind with a mass of information of which half is misunder- 
stood and the other half likely to be forgotten, but to awaken and train 
it to the right use of its own powers. 

It would have given me pleasure to say something of my early recol- 
lections of this Town, and of the men who built it up and established 
its character, and especially to speak of the Milford abolitionists, the 
men and women who made the heroic chapter in the history of this 
Town ; but they have already been fitly and eloquently eulogized. I 
nmst pass by these and other topics, to say something which may be of 
more practical consequence, which has been suggested to me by a very 
recent occurrence in this hall. 

Among the changes which time has worked in this quiet country 
village, none is more striking than the change in the people themselves. 
There are new men here now, and new races. I remember the time 
when a foreigner was almost a cmiosity in the streets, where now three 
languages are familiarly spoken every day. Among this people there are 
differences of opinion and of belief on many subjects. But there must 



62 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

be one rule and one law for all who live in this community. The rights 
and privileges of all are to be equally respected. There must be no per- 
secution for the sake of opinion, and no interference with the free ex- 
pression of opinion within the bounds of the law. On the very eve of 
this celebration I read in the public prints, with shame and indignation, 
that a speaker, addressing a public meeting, was pelted and driven from 
this hall. I know and care but little who or what he was. He may be 
a fanatic. He may have been indiscreet. To some he may have been 
offensive. But he had a right to be heard by those who chose to hear 
him. In this town, where my parents and family have been known for 
nearly half a century, I do not think I shall be suspected of bigotry, or 
of any race of religious prejudice, but to make the matter clear, let me 
say that I [hold all good citizens of whatever race or faith in equal 
esteem. I have not a jiarticle of sympathy or respect for this unwise, 
un-American and unchristian crusade of one sect or church against 
another. Your fellow-citizens of foreign birth who have come and cast 
their lot with you are welcome, and will always be welcome. They have 
helped to build up this Towns they share its burdens and its fortunes. 
But one thing must be understood. They must obey its laws. This 
country, and this Town, are not for Catholic or Protestant. They are 
for law-abiding American citizens, without distinction of origin or 
belief. Whatever is done here must be done decently, and in order. It 
has been the pride and boast of the people of Milford for a hundred 
years, that in this place liberty of conscience, and the free expression 
of opinion have been maintained against all odds. Have the old times 
gone with the old men, and is the public platform in Milford no longer 
free ? If so, this is an empty celebration, and the American flag, with 
which you have hung your walls, has no place in it. If 1 were a citizen 
of Milford — and as a son of Milford I hold an interest in her good 
name — sooner than have it published to the world that IMilford can be 
terrorized by a mob, or that a public meeting cannot be peaceably held 
here for the expression of any decent opinions on any subject, I would 
see the banks of the Souhegan laid as waste and barren as before they 
were trodden by the foot of man. I know there are here still honest, 
self-respecting, and law-abiding citizens of Irish birth or descent. Some 
of them are ray personal friends. They should be first to rebuke this 
outrage, and first and last to see that the like never happens again in 
this town. I would that every Irishman in Milford were within sound 
of my voice, that I might say to him, — Have you forgotton your 
brothers, the brave and patriotic Irishmen whose names are written on 
yonder memorial tablets? Have you forgotten that they gave their 
blood and their lives for their maintenance of law and order in New 
Hrmpshire, no less than in Virginia or South Carolina? And do you 
forget that by overturning the law, or suffering it to be overturned, in 
this town, you outrage^their memory and trample on the very principles 
for which they fell ? Away with this petty jealousy of creeds. There 
is no;}>lace for it[^ beneath 'thatr'Aag. Away, too, with the thought that 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 63 

violence at the hands of|the mob can be suffered to disturb the peace of 
this New Hampshire town. We are one people, sharing one common 
lot, subject toJ.one rule, and that the rule of liberty and order ; and all 
good citizens, of all races and all faiths, must and will stand together to 
maintain and defend it. 

I have said this because these things are of vital importance to the 
future of this town. At one hundred years Milford is in vigorous 
youth, with her history but just begun. It is for you to make it as you 
would have it, and first of all it is for you to preserve her good name. 
It is the best legacy of the past century. That ^Milford will prosper 
there is no one here who doubts. That procession of the trades and in- 
dustries which we saw and admired this morning will move, and grow 
as it moves. You have found a new source of prosperity, greater per- 
haps than all the rest. To-day, the stubborn granite of these hills, 
which yield no crop to the farmer, is turning into gold under the blows 
of the quarrymen. You will become populous. Y^ou will gi'ow rich. 
You may expand into a city. But there is more than this to be looked 
for and worked for. Good towns are made only of good men. The in- 
fluence and example of one public-spirited citizen will do more for a 
community than the wealth of a dozen sordid or indifferent men. A 
hundred years hence, when this anniversary returns the most interesting 
question about you will be, not how many factories you built, or how 
much tradejyou carried on, but, what manner of. men and women were 
these people of Milford? How did they live, and think and feel? What 
did they do for good morals, good government, public intelligence, social 
progress, the elevation ofjtheir community above^the level of mere com- 
mercial enterprise? Fortunate, indeed, if it may then be written of you, 
and of those who are^to follow you : " They were enterprising, courag- 
eous, and successful. They built and^jtraded and prospered. But in 
their prosperity they never forgot thatitheirfbest inheritance was a good 
name. They never forgot that the most'precious possession of towns, as 
of men, is not the riches that; perish, but theJicharacter that endures. 
They held fast to the sober Saxon virtues of industry, thrift, temperance, 
order, respect for rights,!" obedience toUaw. They maintained freedom of 
opinion, and liberty of speech. They kept the precepts of religion, each 
according to his own belief, not only in their churches, but in their lives. 
Thev upheld the ancient reputation of Milford for intelligence, virtue 
and public spirit, and made this town a place in which good men and 
women could grow up, live happy and die content, a centre of good in- 
fluences, an example to other communities, an anchor of the state." 

HON. RODNEY M. STIflPSON. 

President Wallace : — One of the sons of ^lilford descended from 
one of her oldest families, has wandered far away to the State of Ohio, 
wheio his useful and honorable life reflects credit upon himself and his 



64 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

native town, which he has not forgottuii after these long years of ab- 
sence, but has returned to pay a grateful tribute to her on this occasion. 
The Hon. R. M. Stimpson. of Marietta, Ohio, will now address you, giv- 
ing you some of his reminiscences of the town. 

Ladies and Gentlemen: 

If I had a prepared address, which I have not, I should not want to 
deliver it now, after you have been sitting here nearly three hours. Nor 
will I uncork the bottle of reminiscences, for then if you would stay, 
you would be here three hours longer. 

I wish to emphasize the suggestion of Mr. Rainsdell, a few minutes 
ago, to name this square in front of us, " Crosby Square." There is a 
fitness in it. 

Also, I wish to emphasize the remarks of ]\lr. Pillsbury, in relation 
to the mob spirit showing in tliis hall last Friday night. There are dan- 
gerous classes in this country, chiefly foreign-born, who must obey the 
laws ; and with this there must be free speech, surely in Milford, where 
it is a sacred right by all the traditions of the town. 

Gratifying it is to me to meet here the people of Milford, a name so 
highly prized by me that my son was christened " Milford." Here I 
was born, nearly seventy-two years ago, on the spot where now stands 
the old Town Hall, a few rods to the north of this. Around, and close 
by this Square, were the days of my childhood. Here were passed in 
pleasantness the days of my youth. Here I played ball, trundled the 
hoop, swam and skated, and went to school. Here were centered my 
hopes and aspirations as a young man. From the north to the south, 
and from the east to the west lines of the town, I rambled over the hills 
and the valleys and the winding streams, and through the roads, the 
lanes and the by-paths. And to-day, as at whatever distance, and 
through the years agone, every spot, as it were, is clearly photographed 
on my mind. In 1840 I could call hy name every one of the three hun- 
dred and forty-eight voters in Milford. Now but eight of these are still 
living here : Granville Turner, James M. Burns, — over to my right, who 
was a friend of mine when I needed friends. I had other friends here, 
Daniel Russell, Rev. Dr. Humphrey Moore, Solomon Kidder Livermore, 
Charles R. Wallace. The others of the votei's of 1840, now living here, 
are John Lovejoy, Wm. G. D. Burt, Abel C. Crosby, Edmund P. Hutch- 
inson, William Jones and Benjamin F. Hutchinson, — who just now was 
sitting here on the stage. Here, a half century ago, I cast my first vote. 
Left Milford in 1845 to become a citizen of Onio. 

Two points only I will now mention. 

First, The exceedingly beautiful topography of Milford. Take down 
five and a half miles from Dram Cup Hill, so-called by Jonathan Dan- 
forth, a surveyor in 1670, when he established the northwest corner of the 
old towm of Dunstable ; from this hill, near Jones' Corner, to the little 
brook, some two miles below here, where Jacob T. Fuller used to live ; 
and then take in the sweep up to the hills of Mont Vernon and Lynde- 
borough, and across the valley to Federal Hill, and the Burns' Hill on 




HON. JOHN McLANK. 



MILFORD CENTENOTAL CELEBRATION. 65 



the south, and if there is a more lovely spot anywhere, I have never seen 
it, — charming, enchanting. In the midst of this beauty, is a village, 
with its winding river joined in the centre by the brook, with its delight- 
ful streets, all form a picture of loveliness nowhere else known to me. 

Second, The high character of the people of MiLEord. In 1840 — I 
speak by recollection, — of the three hundred and forty-eight voters, 
there were forty Hutchinsons, eleven Lovejoys, eleven Guttei-sons, eleven 
Burnses, nine Crosbys and eight Clarks, — more than one-quarter of the 
whole. This was a first-class stock, industrious, honest, intelligent, char- 
acteristics which have extended down to this day through all the gener- 
ations from the first settlement, permeating all the people of Milford 
natives and adopted, and will soon extend down through time. When I 
was a boy and a young man in Milford, I never knew one of anywhere 
near my own age to touch intoxicating liquors, and to hear one of them 
swear was very infrequent. Theft and personal assaults, misdemeanors 
and crimes, were almost wholly unknown in Milford. It is a place to 
be proud of, in its past and its present, and wherever on earth you find a 
son of the town, you find one enthusiastic for Milford. 

HON. JOHN HcLANE. 

President Wallace : — There is present here one of Milford's adopted 
sons, who, although he had not the good fortune to be born in Milford, 
had the good sense to select this place for his home, one whom Milford 
delights to honor and have represent her in the legislature, the- Hon. 
John McLane, President of the New Hampshire Senate, who will now 
address you. Our Scotch ancestors, we will sing their songs and remem- 
ber their virtues. 

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : 

I desire to make my grateful acknowledgement for the privilege of 
addressing you on this interesting anniversary. 

The spirit of the past is upon us to-day ; reminiscence and retro- 
spect rule the horn* and the occasion. Your presence in such large num- 
bers, indicates that you appreciate the great honor which attaches to any 
man or woman who can claim the good old town of Milford for a birth- 
place. A beautiful town with an honorable history. I cannot claim this 
town as the place of my l)irth, but for a quarter of a century it has been 
my home. One of your daughters honored me by becoming my wife' 
and here my children have been born. My attachment to this place 
could not be stronger, and my love for this people is as deep and lasting 
as life itself. And yet I cannot forget that where I first saw the light 
many of your ancestors were born, and the Scotch blood that flows in 
my veins is still traceable in yours. 

For this reason, the few moments of your time which has been as- 
signed to me, will be spent in some reflections on what the people of 
New Hampshire and New England owe to Scotland and the Scotch. 



66 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



First to he considered, and of the most vital importance, is the 
character of the early settlers which Scotland sent to people these shores. 
They were strong and rugged in health, inured to hardships from their 
birth, prone to industry, and cultivators of the moral virtues. Their 
great national characteristics which is manifested in all conditions of life 
is, and always has been, love of God and human liberty. These funda- 
mental principles of life are taught by the songs they sing in the High- 
land hut, and from the lips of the preacher in the lowland kirk. Tlie 
world pays true homage to Scottish bai-ds, for his songs are the songs of 
all people in all climes where homo is held sacred, and friends most dear. 
From such a people came John Knox and the great reformation, and the 
fires of religious liberty and toleration enkindled by John Knox and his 
faithful followers will continue to burn brighter and brighter as long as 
man shall exist with a brain to think or a heart to feel. Scotland fur- 
nished New England with her common school system without which an 
enlightened people and a free government would be impossible. The 
school house is the rock on which is founded our security for the present, 
and our hopes for the future ; by it come honor and prosperity, and 
through it we may look forward to a more perfect and higher civilization, 
greater progress in the arts and sciences, and governed by moral princi- 
ples, a more lofty ideal of American citizenship. 

The military spirit and love for home and country shown by the 
Scotch people has been demonstrated on countless occasions. About the 
first we hear of the Scotch is in Roman history, where we learn that 
after the Roman legions had overrun Europe they invaded Britain, sub- 
dued the people, and held them subject to imperial Rome for four hun- 
dred years, but the whole Roman army could not conquer Scotland, and 
no other nation has since had better success. 

From such a race came the pride of New Hamshire, the brave Gen- 
eral Stark, who commanded the troops from New Hampshire at the bat- 
tle of Bunker Hill, and it was his countrymen who thrice that day re- 
pulsed the British at Pebbly Beach on the Mystic. The battle of Bunker 
Hill was won by New Hampshire soldiers, commanded by generals from 
the old Granite State ; the same John Stark saved the day at Bennington 
which was one of the most decisive battles of the war. The glory of 
his achievements ai-e of such lasting nature that this vei-y year the 
State of New Hampshire, by legislative enactment, will place in Stat- 
uary Hall, in the capital, at Washington, a marble statue of heroic size 
of Major General John Stark. 

Friends and fellow citizens, we who have the red blood of Scotland 
in our veins, may well be proud of the achievements of our countrymen 
wherever they may be found, in town, state, or nation. Twelve of the 
presidents of the United States, five of the chief justices of the Supreme 
Court, claims to be of Scotch origin, while the gTand list of scholars^ 
orators and and statesmen, who have the same blood in their veins, are 
without number. The Scotch emigrant needs not not to be American- 
ized ; he brings with him no old world race of national antipathies, but 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 67 

a love of our country and our institutions. Americanism is a question 
of spirit, convictions and purposes and not of creed or birthplace. To 
be successful over the dangers that confront us, to achieve true greatness 
and reach the lofty ideal which the founders and preservers of our 
mighty republic have set before us, we must be true Americans in heart 
and soul, and in spirit and purpose. We must be proud measure of the 
glorious privilege of calling ourselves Americans. 

Friends, and fellow citizens of Milford, time will not permit further 
discussion of this, to me vastly interesting subject, for I am a Scotch- 
man] and am proud of the fact, and as a citizen of this one hundred 
years' old town I am proud of its past history and hopeful for its future 
prosperity. May our descendants be loyal to the principles of truth, 
loyal to justice and liberty, and loyal to the blood of their ancestors. 

CHRISTOPHER C, SHAW, ESQ, 

President Wallace: — Agriculture was once the only business in Mil- 
ford. It has always been, and is now, one of the most important inter- 
ests. I call upon Christopher C. Shaw, a son and life long resident of 
Milford, who has always been engaged in and taken a deep interest in 
agriculture to speak for that interest. 

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : — 

Most highly do I appreciate this opportunity of participating in the 
exercises of this historic occasion. Milford and her associations have 
always been dear to my heart. For more than three score and ten years, 
indeed, for the larger portion of the century that has now passed into 
history, have I been familiar with her people, her industries, and her 
social, political and religious associations, and while there has always 
been enough of the spirit of rivalry to promote a vigorous progressive 
growth in the various interests of the town, there has at all times existed 
that fraternal union of sentiment which has kept the town fully abreast 
with the march of improvements. 

Indeed as a town noted for her agriculture, business relations, tem- 
perance and other reformatory, moral, political and religious works, and 
more especially ker good schools, and the number of teachers sent out, 
she has stood in the very front rank, not of the towns of New Hamp 
shire only, but of New England. 

Coursing through my veins, as does the blood of the first Benjamin 
Hopkins, John Burns, Captain Nathan Hutchinson, Andrew Burnham 
and William Shaw, and those of ray family, of William Peabody, two 
of whom served their country in the Indian wars, two more in the war 
of the revelution, and still another in the war of 1812, it affords me 
great satisfaction to embrace this opportunity to voice the love and re- 
spect I bear to them and their associates, the early settlers of this town 
for the grand inheritance that has come to me and my fellow citizens 
through their rugged courage, industry and perseverance. 



es MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

Well might they have felt a just pride, when they were clearing 
away their forests, constructing then- log houses, and planting their hills 
of Indian corn here and there among the stumps of their newly cleared 
fields, or pounding their corn into meal, preparatory for food, w ith 
stones from their fields, or carrying it some 15 or 20 miles on horseback 
through the bridle paths of the unbroken forest, to the nearest mill to 
get it ground. Well might they have felt a just pride, I say, could they 
have looked forward to the town of to-day, with its improved agricul- 
ture, its beautiful homes, manufactures, railroads, schools, churches, free 
library, water system, electric lights, and best of all, its intelligent, in- 
dustrious, happy people. 

But Mr. President, it was assigned to me to speak of the agriculture 
of the town. What shall I say of it ? Agriculture, as a subject, has 
been talked threadbare times without number, and still it comes up fresh 
and full of interest every returning season. And why should it not? 
It was the first calling of man, and through all ages it has continued the 
first of importance, and the underlying industry. It furnished more 
than three-fourths of the entire exports of the country. So also of the 
freights of our great lake and rail transportation companies. It fur- 
nishes the principal factor of the commerce of our great cities, and gives 
employment to nearly one-half of the population of the country. In- 
deed upon it depends not only the prosperity of all other industries, but 
in fact their very existence. 

But of the agriculture of our forefathers, it must be said that it was 
not only primitive but crude in the extreme. They found themselves in 
a land of unbroken forest, the clearing and burning of which had first 
to be done before the arts of the agriculturist could be introduced. The 
implements with which they had to do with, were crude, cumbersome, 
expensive and, to the agriculturist of the present day, would be deemed 
entirely unfit for the purpose they were designed for. Labor was scarce, 
and seeds were limited in varieties, and hard to get. Their crops con- 
sisted mainly of Indian corn, rye, barley, oats, flax, and potatoes, also 
beef, pork, mutton and poultry, while the beautiful handmaid of agri- 
culture, pomology, was scarcely known. 

Little grain beyond the necessities of the home demand was raised, 
while they depended largely upon their animal industry for their cash 
receipts. I i-ecollect listening to the tales of one of my grandmothers as 
she narrated her recollections of the methods and experiences of her 
great-grandfather, Benj. Hopkins (or (tov. Hopkins, as he was familiarly 
called), how he employed the friendly Indians in carrying on his great 
farm, known as the Charlestown School farm, comprising all the present 
farms lying on the river road between Mr. Matthias F. Crosby's home 
farm and the covered bridge at Jones' crossing, so-called. And how he 
paid them for their labor largely in rum and tobacco ; and how he used 
to gather his cattle together in the fall of the year and drive such as 
could be spared to Boston to market. Their conveniences for travelling 
were crude, being mostly upon horseback. It is within my recollection 



MlLFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 69 

that the wagon known now as the farm, or family wagon, set upon 
springs, was introduced. So also of the mowing machine, reapers, horse- 
rakes, thrashing machines, iron and steel plows, cultivators, seed sowers 
and all dairy utensils, the dash churn, cheese press, and earthern pans 
alone excepted. 

Perhaps there is no period in the history of the town's agriculture 
of more interest than the years irom 1810 to 1850, when the culture of 
hops so largely prevailed. Most of the above years there was scarcely a 
farm within the town that did not have from one to five and six acres, 
and there was one that had twenty odd, while it was my privilege as a 
boy to ride horse to plow thirteen acres besides the two or three acres of 
corn and one or more of potatoes. The riding of horse to plow hops 
when the vines are well up the poles, as they usually were at the last 
hoeing, was peculiarly interesting as all will testify who have 'experi- 
enced the drawing of a good strong vine across the face, neck or arm. 

The harvesting or picking of the hops was a season of great inter- 
est, for the reason that they were picked mostly by young ladies, gath- 
ered from the neighboring towns and employed from two to three weeks, 
varying in numbers from two or three to twenty or thirty, and some- 
times more, seldom ever less than twenty on our farm. The canvassing 
the neighboring town, hunting up and engaging the girls (hoppickers 
as we called them), two or three weeks previous to the harvest, then col- 
lecting them in big two horse loads and returning them after the nops 
were picked, gave us boys at least a very interesting experience. The 
culture of hops, for the reason of their being mostly used in the brew- 
ing of beer, finally, under the influence of the temperance movement, 
which became strong in the town, gave way gradually to other crops, 
perhaps I might say to the raising of milk, which has continued to be 
the leading crop to date. 

Next to the above in interest, perhaps, the cultivation of improved 
varieties of fruits, has made as great strides as any other. The science 
of grafting, budding and hybridizing were not practised in the early- 
history of the town. Indeed, it is within my recollection that the first 
apple grafts were set in my part of the town, at which time I had never 
known or heard of a sale of a barrel of apples. The cultivation of 
small fruits was unheard of, and there were but two pear trees in town 
that I knew of, and perhaps my knowledge was as extended on that sub- 
ject as that of most boys. 

To-day we have fine orchards of luxurions apples upon most every 
faim, while their reputation has become world-wide, and the markets of 
the old world our best customers. We have also our pear orchards, vine- 
yards and fields of small fruits, all contributing freely to the revenaes 
of their euterprising growers, as well as to the health and cheerfulness 
of all who participate in their consumption. 

Not so with the dairy. The cow has always kept pace with the 
civilization of man, and came to town with our ancestors, but what of 
her? She was the best known here at the time, but like most of her as- 



to MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



sociations of our forefathers, she was crude. The scrub of to-day. Yet 
our grandmothers, some of them at least, with their eartheni pans and 
dash churns knew how to make good butter and cheese. 

The best of butter usually sold at from eight to twelve cents per 
pound, and cheese from six to ten cents. I recall a conversation that 
occurred in our family when grandmother, on an occasion when butter 
was scarce and high, took the ground rhat the going price at the time, 
which was one shilling (16 2-3 centi^) per pound, was too high, and she 
felt that she was wronging her customers to take more tliaii 12 1-2 cents. 
The average herd of cows of that day did not yield more than from two 
to two hundred and fifty pounds of butter per cow for the year, while 
to-day the average is probably over three hundred, and many herds go 
as high as four hundred pounds. 

Eggs, when there was any market for them, usually sold at from 
eight to twelve cents per dozen. Hay from $10 to $15 per ton usually, 
but in times of scarcity I have known it to sell as high as $40 per ton. 
Potatoes usually sold at from 15 to 25 cents per bushel, the latter being 
regarded a very good price. 

Most every farmer kept a few sheep in those days, and their good 
wives had their spinning wheel and loom, and the processes through 
which the wool went after leaving the sheep's back about election time, 
or early June, until its return from the fulling mill, in the fall, all ready 
for the shears of the tailor, or more usually the tailoress, who had been 
engaged to cut, and perhaps make the suits of clothes that were to re- 
ward us for our toil, were veiy interesting, for it was tlie only full cioth 
we had any knowledge of. 

So also of flax, contrary to the present ideas of some gentlemen. It 
was quite commonly grown, spun and woven into bedding, underwear, 
table linen, towels, etc., specimens of which are now on exhibition in 
Eagle hall. 

Farm laborers were comparatively scarce, good men getting from 
$10 to $15 per month, while the day laborer got from G2 1-2 cents to $1 
per day, according to the season, with the exception of the time of har- 
vesting the hay crop, which all having to be cut and gathered by hand, 
created a great demand for help. Consequently wages were often as 
high as $2, and sometimes $3 per day. 

Corn and rye were used a great deal as a medium of exchange with 
the day laborer, and generally a bushel of either was regarded as a fair 
standard for a day's work, the hours of which were from sunrise to 
sunset. 

But my allotted time is up, and I must close, but in closing what 
shall I say of the agriculture of the future, with the improvements con- 
stantly being made in farm machinery and implements, with improved 
horses, sheep and swine, poultry, with the Holsteins, Ayreshire, Short- 
horn, and the queen of the dairy, the little Jersey. With the advanced 
intelligence of the agriculturist, constantly being enlarged by the diffu- 
sion of the results of the scientific researches of the national department 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 71 

of agriculture, and the agricultural colleges and experiment station of 
the states; from the frequent exhibits of ihe various agricultural, horti- 
cultural, promological and floral societies, and the almost weekly discuss- 
ing of these industries carried on by our grange and institute meetings, 
augmented by the agricultural press. 

This prediction I dare make, that grand and creditable as has been 
the march of progress in the century just closed, they will be greatly ex- 
celled during the next, and may my predictions become true, and may 
we all have a just pride in having contributed our best eiforts to so great 
and grand a result. 

DAVID HEALD, ESQ. 

President Wallace: — I see here an old resident of Milford, who has 
always taken a deep interest in everything pertaining to her welfare, and 
who, as one of our leading manufacturers, has and is doing as much as 
any one to develop the manufacturing interests of the town, David Heald, 
who will speak in regard to our local interests. 

Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen : 

Once in a hundred years at least, it may be well to remember that 
law proclaimed so long ago, that " In the sweat of thy face shall thou 
eat bread," and that it is also true of the clothes we wear and the house 
we live in, with all its furnishings of use or ornament. 

So we have not only labor on the farm to secure the bread, the 
meat, the food w-e need to make up the growth and supply the waste of 
the body, but also labor in the mill, the shop, the factory, to transform 
what is called raw materials into articles of use and beauty demanded 
by our civilization. And in this, as in the labor of the farm, field or 
forest, there must be sweat, and cost, not of money, but of labor. Money 
is only the yard stick with which we measure the work. And making 
it longer or shorter by legislation may have little or nothing to do with 
the amount of physical or mental force to prepare the necessities or lux- 
uries of life. Some think that an unequal share of this toil is appor- 
tioned to certain classes of persons. If so, that only shows the fact that 
this law is not well executed. And that may lead us to consider 
whether the non-enforcement of law is not a chronic condition of our 
time. The remedy is being sought, so far at least as the labor question 
is concerned, by men on the farm, in the mill, the factory, the mine, on 
our railways, in our cities by the pulpit and the press, by Coxey's tramps 
in the east and west, and by senators and representatives in our luitional 
Congress, and no doubt some one ere long will invent a regulator which 
applied to our labor problem will distribute the burdens of life equally 
among men and women as W'ell. 

Milford one hundred years ago had many good acres of soil, splen- 
did forests of timber, hills full of the choicest granite, and yet all this 
wealth of material was almost valueless to man. Sweat of the face must 
be due the soil, labor must bring down the giant trees and convert them 
into houses to live in. The granite, undisturbed in centuries, must be 



72 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 

uncovered, broken in pieces and huge l)lock,s. liflx'd out oi their beds, 
and by patient toil with hammer and chisel transformed until tliey take 
the shapes in the mind of the artisan, and the polish of a mirror. This 
and a thousand more things which I have not time to mention are what 
Milford manufacturers have been doing for the last hundred years. 

The first manufacturing business of importance after the incorpora- 
tion of the town was the building of the mill for cotton manufacturing, 
now owned by the Morse & Kaley M'f'g. Co., in 1818, being one of the 
first cotton mills built in this state. Souhegan mill was built in lSi7, 
and burned in 1872. This being our largest industry, it was a serious 
blow to our prosperity. But some of our smaller business has been en- 
larged and new ones come in, so that for the last few years our town has 
had a steady, healthy growth. 

Our products are cotton goods, hosiery, post otlice outfits, leather, 
morocco, paper boxes, fancy boxes and desks, baskets, cooper work, 
planes and coopers' tools, carriages, painting, furniture, and last but not 
least, incubators that will hatch chickens by lamp-light, and brooders 
that will call them in when it rains. These eventful machines, I think' 
have a capacity of about 200 per day, and my friend Billings will apply 
an automatic counting attachment that will relieve our poultry men of 
the necessity of counting their chickens before they are hatched. These 
new methods leaves the hens free to devote themselves exclusively to 
the production of the raw material. 

Oiu- manufacturing establishments are not large, and the proprie- 
tors are not men of wealth, as that word signifies to-day ; but men who 
have their own fortunes to make, and sometimes to discount the misfor- 
tues of others which is always incident to a manufacturing business ; 
practical men who obey the law and put a law amount of sweat and brai7i 
in their work. Many in my memory of forty-four years have passed 
away and the ranks are filled by others. These names are known to 
some of you : Leonard Chase, Daniel Putnam, George Daniels, Robert 
Knight, Wm. Pratt, Francis J. French, Hiram Daniels, Andrew Fuller, 
Wm. Gilson, Moses French, W. L. Pierce, John Mills, Timothy Kaley. 

These were true men, who had at heart the growth and good of this 
towu. All were captains in our industrial army, not marching to Wash- 
ington to ask government ; but guards at home, furnishing employment 
to many, encouraging education, and favoring good morals and religion, 
and so building up a community to which this government could look 
for help, which was true when the dark hour of our country's peril was 
upon us, and she did not look and ask in vain. They all died in the 
faith of our free American institutions, and shall they be less honored 
than they who laid down their lives on more southern fields. 

And now on this hundredth birth-day as we pause in our journey 
to look back, we say peace to their ashes and honor to the memory of 
Milford's dead industrial leaders. And resuming our business cares and 
burdens, and wiping the sweat from our brows, we turn our faces toward 
the morning of the twentieth century, not knowing if we shall see its 
rising. 



,^ 







COL. O. W. I.II.L M1:M0KIAI. I-C)l-XTAIX. 



MTLFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 73 



Dedication of riemorial Fountain. 



The spot upon which this foantain stands is located due west of the 
residence of the late Col. O. W. Lull, and commands a pleasant view 
from the street and surrounding neighborhood. The fountain and the 
accompanying adornments are of a most appropriate character, and form 
an interesting chapter in the memorial efforts of Mrs. Lull, and the sen- 
timents so beautifully expressed are dedicated to the memory of the men 
of Milford who died representing her in the rebellion. 

The bronze structure is a work of art, about 12 feet in height. It 
stands upon a granite foundation placed in the centre of a circular basin, 
some forty feet in circumference. The fountain outlets for water dis- 
play are numerous, and above and below them are attached electric lights^ 
which n;ore fully develop the sentiment of the undertaking. Around 
the outer edge of the basin, sufficient space has been allowed for the per- 
manent location of a tablet from every state in the union, a number of 
which are now in position. The present marked feature of the entei-- 
prise are four bror.ze tablets as follows : one on north side of fountain 
bearing the inscription : " Memorial Fountain, dedicated by Oliver W. 
Lull Post, G. A. R.. on the 100th anniversai-y of the town, June 26th, 
1891." South side tablet, "Our patriot dead, they still live in words the 
truest, deeds the noblest and in love that is eternal." East side tablet, 
" In honor of the gallant men from Milford, who pledged or gave their 
lives for liberty and in defence of the Union." Wfst tablet, '• I^iberty. 
Heroes of the Revolution, 1776 — 1781, on land and sea. Patriots of 
1812. Union." This memorial fountain was formally dedicated on 
Centennial day, in the presence of a large number of our citizens, by 
Post O. W. Lull, with appropriate ceremonies. 

Oliver W. Lull Post, J. R. Perkins, Commander, assembled at G. A. 
11. headquarters, at 8.30 o'clock, and under escort of the Milford Cornet 
Band, J. F. Holland, leader, inarched to tlie residence of Mrs. Mary A. 
Lull, taking position on the south side of the Fountain. 

Mrs. Lull, in transferring the Memorial to the Post for dedication, 
spoke as follows : 



74 MILFORD CEXTENXIAL CKLEIiRATIOX. 

Mr. Commander and Comradks : — Will you raise the flag and 
dedicate this Fountain in honor of all the gallant men from Milford. of 
whatever nation, race or color, who pledged or gave their lives for " Lib- 
erty" and in defence of " The Union." 

The flag was then unfurled in the presence of a large number of 
citizens and the band played the Star Spangled Banner. In accepting 
the memorial for dedication. Commander J. R. Perkins observed the 
ceremony as laid down in the Grand Army ritual. 

Commander — In the name of the comrades of the G. .\. 11., repre- 
senting as they do all soldiers and sailors, who defended our homes and 
our nation, I thank you for this privilege and thL"; honor in dedicating 
this Fountain. 

Adjutant — Detail a guard of honor. 

Officer of Day, you will direct the officers of the guard to their 
stations. 

The guards having been placed on the four sides of the fountain, 
the commander called 

Attention — In the name of the Grand Army of the Republic I now 
dedicate this Memorial Fountain. .1 dedicate it to all Soldiers and in- 
cluding those of the war of 1776 — 1812, and 18-18. whose remains lie on 
the camping ground of the dead, for their record has been handed down 
to us by history, and comrades, T especially dedicate this Fountain to all 
soldiers and sailors who fought in the late rebellion, for a fvee country 
and free states and for freedom, the constitution and the flag, and as this 
Fountain, sparkling with living waters, shall be a memorial of this cen- 
tennial day, and when the hands of another generation shall reach forth 
to catch its silvery spray, and even when its waters cease to flow and it 
crumbles to the dust, may the niemovy of this noble woman. Mary A. 
Lull, together with the brave .soldier. Col. Oliver W. Lull, and members 
of O. W. Lull Post, and all Milford's war sons, to whom 'this Fountain 
is dedicated to-day, shall live never to be forgotten. Comrades, salute 
the dead. 

Commander to Mrs. Lull — Our services of dedication are ended. In 
the name of my comrades I thank you for your loyalty to all of the 
defendeis of our republic, and for your courtesy in permitting us who 
are bound by special ties to dedicate this fountain in honor of our dead. 

Chaplain, pronounce the benediction. 

The Officer of the Day then withdrew the guard. 

During the ceremonies the Lyndoboro' Heavy Artillery, headed by 
the Wilton Cornet band, moved into the enclosure, and occupied a posi- 
tion south of the Fountain. The exercises, which had taken place in 
the presence of a large number of citizens and friends, were of a most 
interesting nature, at the conclusion of which the guards were with- 
drawn, and the procession, with the addition of the Lyndeboro' Artillery, 
was reformed and marched to the headquarters of the Grand Army of 
the Republic and dismissed. 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 75 

EVENING EXERCISES, 

A reception was held on the grounds at 8 p. m. Capt. J. M. Stanyan 
acted as master of ceremonies. A song was rendered by the Dearborn 
brothers, remarks and reading of an original poem by Maj. Proctor of 
Wilton : 



Pure water, cold, cold water, 

God's kindest gift to man, 
Aud he who plants a fountain 

Works on his sacred plan. 
To him will come the laurel, 

The crown is justly won. 
To him will come the welcome, 

" Faithful servant. Well done." 

Pure water, cold, cold water. 

What a boon to ease the pain 
Of the poor old wounded soldier 

Upon the war wrecked plain, 
lyj'ing, with burning thirst a dying 

On the field of slaughter. 
Begging, pleading, no one heeding, 

For just one drink of water ; 

Pure water, cold, cold water, 

May it be the strongest link 
Of old Post Lull's comradeship, 

Their only perfect drink. 
So when their friends from rustic shades 

Come down from up the mountain, 
May this beacon shine, and guide their line. 

To treat them at this fountain, 

And 'neath its light repeat again 

The days of duty done. 
Of dry and dusty weary marches. 

And fields that were nobly won. 
Of how they fought, the shell, the shot, 

The oft-repeated story. 
The days of blood, of cruel war. 

Fighting, dying for " old Glory," 
Which uow floats so proudly o'er us, 

In a beauty true, divine, 
The emblem of our country free, 

" May its stars forever shine." 

Yes, cast your bread npon the waters, 

Aud after many days, 
It will return to bless you 

In many precious ways. 
For He, who from Horeb's rock 

Made the crystal life stream free. 
Placed his rainbow in the sky. 

That all the world might see 
The beauty of the rain-drop, 

In Heaven, so clear and pure, 
On earth, with healing in its wings. 

The omnipotent cure. 



70 MTLFOKD CEXTENXIAL CELEBRATION. 



Pure water, cold, cold water 

That from this fountain flows. 
Is as a leaf from its doner's life 

In the blessings she bestows. 
The soldier's friend till life shall end. 

With a^heart of charity. 
To her. the crown,, " Well done, well done. 

Good and faithful," it will be, 
Por our promise is, " Who giveth the cup 

Of water pure and free 
To even the least of one of these 

Hath done it nnto Me." 

HoniHrks liy R. D. Jones of Boston, arcliitect of the fountain; .song- 
entitled "Fairy Land Waltz," by a quartette of young ladies; lemarks 
by Rev. F. L. Knapp, and Rev. Joseph Manuel. II. F. Warren being 
called upon said that while he could not perhaps claim to have the 
youngest son of a veteran, he could, however, boast of the youngest son 
of a veteran in the United States to turn on an electric light. At this 
point the electric lights attached to the fountain were flashed upon the 
scene, the switch jbeing turned on by II. V. Warren, Jr., nine weeks old. 
Remarks and songs by John Hutchinson, assisted by Mrs. Birney, and 
granddaughter. Closing remarks by David Heald and W. W. Hemen- 
way. The large American flag that hung suspended over the fountain 
bore the following inscription : 

" The stars shall shine on forever, they are all there. Thanks to you 
and your comrades." 

Refreshments were served after the exercises. The occasion was 
one of peculiar interest to all present. 




iiAi,i, c()Mmitti;k 

B. Harti-ett, 1)k. h. s. Hutchins 

llENKV Clay IU'xton, 

W. H. W. in.Nus, Ju. Dr K. M. Wictherhek, 



MTLFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 77 



CENTENNIAL 

CONCERT AND BALL. 

Town Hall, June 26, i894. 



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MTLFORD CRXTKNXIAL CELEBRATION. 



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MORSE & KAlvKY MANUFACTURING CO. 
Established 1S40. 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 81 



Loan and Art Exhibition. 



The Loan and Art Exhibition, as held at Eagle Hall, was a very 
successful feature of the day's celebration. It reflected credit alike upon 
the committee who had it in charge and the generosity of the people, in 
contributing so liberally towards its success, by loaning so many ancient 
and interesting relics of by-gone days. It was unfortunate that this 
exhibition could not have been continued longer, that the public might 
study it more carefully and thereby gain the information and instruc- 
tion that it contained. 

The committee organized by the choice of Mrs. J. E. Webster as 
President. The hall was arranged with tables on either side and in the 
centre, and their historical articles arranged upon them, with the names 
of the loaners and the historical significance plainly marked upon a card 
and attached to each article, thus enabling the visitors to examine and 
inspect them intelligently. By an unfortunate oversight, these cards, 
which contained so much interesting information, were early destroyed, 
otherwise we could describe this exhibit more minutely and comprehen- 
sively. We were enabled however, from some records that were pre- 
served, to give a partial list of those who contributed articles, and, 
although not perfect, furnishes some idea of the number and size of the 
exhibit. 

Mrs. Nancy Bennett, aged ninety-three years, was present during the 
day and gave an illustration of the method of spinning, with the old 
fashioned wheel. 

NAMES OF DONATORS. 

Mrs. E. L. Hodgman, Mary Thurston, E.P. Hutchinson, Mrs. Rhoda 
Parker, Mrs. Joel Gutterson, Rev. A. M. Pendleton, R. H. Pierce, Miss 
Christine Moore, Caleb Hutchinson, Charles Dodge, Mrs. Clarence Gut- 
terson. J. F. Boyuton, Nfrs. Henry Warren, Mrs. Henry Mason, William 
Coburn, Mrs. Gunison, Mrs. Stillman Hutchinson, Mrs. P. Russell, Mrs. 
Joel Duncklee, H. Carter Towne, Mrs. Jennie Towne, Mrs. Dola Thomp- 



82 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



son, Mrs. Fred Sawyer, John Kenney, Mrs. H. Moore, Miss P. N. Love- 
joy, David Heald, William Burtt, Calvin A. Averill, Z. Mills, E. E, Hill, 
Mrs. Hannah Chase, Mrs. Mary A. Lull, Mrs. Langdell, Mrs. Solon Kim- 
ball, Mrs. Chas. Pinkham, Dr. Hinds, Miss Atalauta Knight, Mi'S. A. 
French, E. G. Hamblett, Mrs. Kaley, O. H. Foster, G. H. Stevens, Mrs. 
Milo Burnham, Mrs. John Twiss, Mrs. Will Hutchinson, Mrs. Bennett, 
Mrs. Thomas Winters, Mrs. J. W. Pillsbury, Mrs. D. S. Dearborn, C. H. 
Russell, Winfred Mansfield, W. R. Fitch, Hervey P. Putnam, Frank 
Wetherbee, A. M. Wilson, Mrs. J. E. Webster, Col. J. W. Crosby, Mrs. 
M. J. Gillpatrick, Mrs. F. T. Sawyer, IMrs. D. N. Goodwin, Mrs. Leroy 
Hutchinson, Mrs. Marshall, Mrs. Julia Hill, Mrs. J. P. Melzer, Mrs, Abel 
Crosby, Mrs. C. Wilkins, Mrs. F. W. Ordway, Mrs. J. M. Burns, Mrs. E. 
Wilkins, Mrs. Watkins, Mrs. A. J. Sargent, Mrs. H. P. Peck, Mrs. C. 
Dodge, Mrs. John Mills, Adison Heald, B. F. Foster, Jennie Merrill, 
Mrs. Frank Barker, Mrs. Stinson, Mrs. J. M. Laws, A. L. Keyes, Mrs. 
Kate Birney, Dr. A. W. Smith, Mrs. Nancy Sargent, Mrs. Kimball, Mrs. 
Brooks, William Bm-tt, E. A. Savage, Miss Ball, J. B. Heald, Mrs. James 
Anderson, L. N. Wright, Mrs. Geo. W. Burns, Mrs. Kendall, IMrs. R. M. 
Wallace, Mrs. Lawi-ence, Mary L. Tucker, INIrs. C. R. Crosby, C. B. Wil 
son, Mrs. J. R. Wilkins, Mrs. G. A. Rarasdell, Miss Trow, Miss Fannie 
Merrill, Mrs. J. C. Boutelle, Mrs. J. B. Fretts,'j. W. Prince, H. P. Dar- 
racott, Mrs. Ford, B. F. Hutchinson, Henry Parkhurst, C. C. Shaw, 
Arthur R. Webster, Miss E. A. Livermore, Mrs. Prince, Gilman Harts- 
horn, D. L. Daniels. 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



FIREWORKS AT ENDICOTT PARK, 
Tuesday Evening. 



By Maston & Wells, Boston. 



Twelve Exhibition Batteries. 

Seventy-five Exhibition Candles. 

Six Rocket Batteries. 

Forty -eight Exhibition Rockets. 

Twenty-four two pound Display Rockets. 

Twelve Balloon Rockets. 

Twenty-four Revolving Rockets, assorted. 

Twelve Golden Fountains. 

Twelve Exhibition Mines. 

Forty-eight Assorted Shells and Bombs. 

Fifty Colored Bengola Lights. 

SET PIECES. 

Exhibition wheel, colored. 
Colored Floral Piece. 
Meteoric Shower. 
Star of America. 

CENTENNIAL DESIGN. 

Within a circle of Silver flame is displayed the word " Milford " 
and " Centennial " in crimson fires, with the dates 1738 - 1794, and the 
scales of Justice between. A Scroll or Wreath below bears the motto of 
June 26th, 1894, and upon either side the design is supported by Batter- 
ies of Roman Candles and Detonating Shells, which throw sn arch of 
fire over the whole cqmposition, and conclude with deafening reports. 



84 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



LETTERS. 



United States Senate, 
Washington, D. C, June 9, 1894. 
Messrs. G. A. Worcester and E. C. Hutchinson, Committee, Milford. N.H.: 

Gentlemen: — It gives me pleasm-e to acknowledge the receipt of 
your kind invitation to be present on the One Hundredtli Anniversary of 
the Incorporation of Milford, June 26. I regret to state that I cannot 
hope to attend, on account of the pressure of other duties. 

It occurs to me to say that I grow more and more in favor of anni- 
versary and memorial celebrations. The revival of reminiscences by the 
old, and their study by the young, enter into the growi;h of character in 
both old and young, more, perhaps, than even indi%ddual experiences in 
life. The founders of our New England towns were noble men and 
women. The lapse of time has made great changes in society, but I 
believe not such as will diminish reverence for the virtues and the labors 
of our ancestors, who laid broad and deep the foundations of our repub- 
lic. No town is richer in historic memories than Milford. I trust the 
sentiments which will be aroused at your anniversary, will be fruitful of 
happiness and benefit to all your people. 

Yours truly, 

WM. E. CHANDLER. 



House of Repkesentatives, U. S., 
Washington, June 23, 1894. 

Messrs. G. A. Worcester and E. C. Hutchinson, Committee on Invitations: 
Gentlemen: I am in receipt of your polite invitation to jom in the 
Centennial celebration of the incorporation of yom- beautiful town, and 
regret that my duties here will prevent my uniting with you upon that 
interesting occasion. A hundred years is a long time, and probably no 
one can remember when your ancestors became a " body politic," but in 



MiLFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 85 



the history of a New England town, whose organization and government 
are based upon the continuing will of the people, it is a brief period and 
one which we may readily believe will be celebrated again and again, 
until your coming anniversary will be so far in the past that it will exist 
only as a tradition or a record. Such I am confident will be the good 
fortune of your citizens, and I congratulate them upon the happy condi- 
tions under which life is enjoyed and dignified by them, and upon the 
certainty that through the coming centuries their descendants will per- 
petuate for themselves and their neighbors the blessings of civil and re- 
ligious liberty, that public education may be maintained, that self-gov- 
ernment may not perish, and that the right to worship according to the 
dictates of conscience may not be questioned, but may be recognized 
everywhere as an " inalienable right," 

Your program of celebration is an excellent one. It will be char- 
acterized by eloquent words of wisdom and patriotism, and by appro- 
priate festivities. I regret my inability to be with you. 

Very truly yours, 

H. M. BAKER. 



91 Cross Street, 
SoMERViLLE, June 7, 1894. 

Messrs. Worcester and Hutchinson : 

Gentlemen :— I am in i-eceipt of your invitation to attend the Cen- 
tennial Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town of Milford. It 
will give me pleasure to be present, if circumstances will admit. I 
retain veiy pleasant recollections of Milford, for some of the pleasantest 
years of my life were spent with the people of that community. I thank 
you most heartily for the invitation. Sincerely, 

R. B. MOODY. 



Superior Court of Cook County, 

Judge Jonas Hutchinson 

IN Chambers. 



Chicago, June 18, 1894. 



George A. Worcester, Esq., Sec'y, etc., 

My Dear Sir : — I regret that I cannot be present to participate in 
the rejoicing over the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Incorporation 
of the Town of Milford. My duties are so imperative that I cannot 
leave here until about the middle of July. That the celebration may be 
a glorious success, worthy of the noble men and women who laid the 
foundation of the town, and of those who have, by devotion to its wel- 
fare, made it the foremost town of its size in the state, for enterprise, 
virtue and intelligence, is the profound wish of the writer. 
Yours very truly, 

JONAS HUTCHINSON. 



86 MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



Office of City Attorney. 

Edgerton, Wis., June 21, 1894. 
Messrs. Worcester and Hutchinson, Committee, etc. : 

Gentlemen : — I thank you, and through you, the good people of 
Milford for your very courteous invitation to join in celebrating the cen- 
tennial of MiLford's incorporation, and greatly regret that my duties 
forbid accepting such invitation. 

You have most abundaut material for an unusually happy centen- 
nial celebration. Mill-ford, the mill at the ford, was one key to the 
prosperity of the town. 

Her huge beds of granite and her dense forests were others, but 
better than all these was that intelligence, energy, thrift and virtue of 
her people that seized on these advantages, put them to a practical use 
and built up her her homes, schools, churches, libraries and other insti- 
tutions which have made a history that every son of that grand old 
town may well be proud of ; while at the same time you have abolished 
saloons, gaming houses and other places of immorality and dissipation. 

Her first hundred years is nobly secure, and it is most fitting that 
its completion should be suitably celebrated. 

Her past, so prosperous and patriotic, is full of promise of a most 
glorious future, therefore I bespeak for you a happy and successful cele- 
bration ; one that shall arouse her people to still greater achievements 
and prosperity as the town enters on its second centennial. 

Very truly yours, 

J. P. TOWNE. 



South Haven, Mich., June 20, 1894. 
To G. A. Worcester and E. C. Hutchinson, Committee on Invitations: 

Gentlemen: — Your kind invitation to be present upon the occa- 
sion of the One Hundredth Anniversary of the Incorporation of Milford 
was duly received with thanks. 

To a native of the " Granite State," the mere reminder of an anni- 
versary occasion is sufficient to stir one's pride and cause one's blood to 
pulsate quicker. As I picture to myself the happy faces and inuigine 
the " feast of reason and flow of soul," it is with regret that I cannot 
mingle with the joyous throng, and unite in eulogizing the grand old 
town, where more than thirty of the pleasantest years of my life were 
passed. As " distance lends enchantment to the view," so must 1 be 
content, and although in a distant State, surely shall 1 be present in spirit 
on that festal day, and ever be proud to claim Milford as the spot where 
my eyes for the first time beheld the light. Let me say to all friends 
who, perchance, may be present, that many years spent in the West only 
deepen my regard for the place of my birth, its beautiful homes, its 
grand history, and its intelligent people. 

EDWARD LOVEJOY. 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 87 



Cleveland, Ohio, June 5, 1894. 
Gentlemen of the Centennial Committee : — 

Yoiir kind invitation to attend the Celebration of the One Hun- 
dredth Anniversary of the Incorporation of Milford, N. H., is received. 
Please accept thanks and regrets that I cannot be present, I would 
gladly meet once more the i-emnant of those who were boys and girls 
together fifty and sixty years ago. I learned my A, B, C.'s, and a few 
other rudiments, in a district school in the southwestern part of the 
town. My first teaching was also undertaken in this self-same district. 
I think Mr. and Mrs. Addison Peabody, and a few other of my old 
pupils, still survive. This was half a century ago, I vividly remem- 
ber the old landmarks, the rather hilly road, the spearmint, the wild 
roses and ferns, with the berries which grew by the roadside ; but espec- 
ially do I remember the school committee, "Priest" Moore and '-Squire" 
Livermore, with others whose names are less familiar. Also, the old 
Baptist meeting-house on the sandy hill, where Samuel Everett, Mark 
Carpenter, and others, before and after, preached the word as they un- 
derstood it, in all sincerity, and the Hutchinson Family, filled the sing- 
er's seats. And earlier than this I have a dim recollection of the time 
when Calvin Averill and Diamond Pearson played the bass viol and 
Luther Wallace blew the clarionet. But these times seem misty and far 
away, with now and then an event or a face distinct and real ; among 
these were the baptisms, which took place in old Souhegan, with the 
singing at the waterside, and old Dea. Hutchinson receiving the candi- 
dates as they came up out of the water ; these were impressive scenes, I 
wonder do they still occur in the old way? As I write scenes and indi- 
viduals almost forgotten come vividly to mind. I wonder do they still 
raise hops in Milford? We used to have great times picking hops. For 
more than a third of a century my home has been in the beautiful city 
of Cleveland, on the shore of Lake Erie. During these years I have many 
times revisited my Eastern home, and though Ohio seems a little more 
familiar and real to me than New Hampshire, I still feel interested in 
all that concerns Milford, and am always proud of being a New Eng- 
lander. Milford is a good place to come from, and I doubt not an equally 
good place to stay in. I send greeting to the remnant of the old days» 
and God speed to the present and coming generation. Mav they be true 
to their motto of "Equal and exact justice to all," and wiser and better 
than we of the past. Very respectfully, 

ABBY L. O. AVERILL STONE. 



Valrico, Fla., June 4, 1894. 
To the Town of Milford, throngh your Committee on Invitations: 

I am pleased to say that I have received your very polite invitation 
to be present on the occasion of your Centennial Celebration, but regret 
that I shall not be able to attend. Please receive my best wishes that 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 



tlie day may be all that you desire, and that the future prosperity of 
Milford may be assured by the sterling virtue of the peojile. 

My first recollections of Milford were when riding into the town 
from the north with my father on a loa<I of goods, at the age of seven 
years. The first thing that took my attention was the red painted roofs 
of some of the buildings. I had never seen a painted roof before. 

I think it was the spring of 1823 that my father bought a farm of 
Michael Hartshorn, situated in the western part of the town, between 
the farms of B. Shedd and E. Smith, and moved there from New Bos- 
ton. It was called the Melser place ; probably Mr. Melser cut it out 
from the primitive forest. At present it is owned by Mr. E. S. Burns. 

Yon have a good motto, "Equal and exact justice to all." But do 
you dispense equal justice to all? Do the women share equally in the 
government? All governments should be instituted by the consent of 
the governed, but they are not. Women are governed by laws that men 
have made, and are not permitted to have a voice in making the laws of 
the State. Thas is a great injustice. I am really under no obligations 
to obey any human laws, to which I have never given my consent. But, 
thank heaven, there is one path of freedom open to all, through the 
press. Woman can speak her mind there as freely as man, and I rejoice 
to know that many have availed themselves of this liberty. Miss Wil- 
lard says that when she speaks on the platform she can reach thousands, 
but when she speaks through the press she can reach millions. Let us 
ever maintain a free press. With the public schools and free expression 
of thought we can defy all the powers of tyranny and oppression. 

CLEMENTINE AVERILL. 



Chicago, June 22, 1S94. 

To G. A. Worcester and E. C. Hutchinson, Committee of Invitations: 

Gentlemen : — Your letter of invitation to me from the Town of 
Milford, for my presence the 26th of June next, upon the occasion of the 
celebrarion of the One Hundredth Anniversary of its Incorporation, 
June 26, 1894, is received. Please give my thanks to the Town of Mil- 
ford for the kind invitation to be present at the celebration. It would 
give me great pleasure and enjoyment to be there to see the beautiful 
Town of Milford and its people, where I was born and lived thirty-three 
years. Although it would be very sad to me, after nearly forty years 
since I left the town, to see the great changes that have taken place, and 
death's great harvest among my dear relatives and my good old neigh- 
bors; not one left, all gone and joined the great majority. I always 
liked Milford. It is a smart progressive go-a-head towai. Its citizens 
have always stood in the front rank in advocating good morals, patriot- 
ism, human liberty, free speech, religious liberty, temperanc3, music and 
the arts. Also, industry, public improvements and advancement upon 
all lines, for the benefit and happiness of the people, hospitable to all 



MILFORD CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION. 89 

that come within her gates. In short, Milford lias some of the spirit of 
Chicago's push, and get there. 

I send my regrets that it will be impossible for me to be present at 
the celebration; nevertheless, my heart and soul will be witli you just 
the same. My wish is that the citizens of Milford may realize all of 
their expectations and happiness in the celebration, on the 26th of June 
next, and hope the next one hundred years will bring forth great advance- 
ment in knowledge, improvements and prosperity to the Town of Mil- 
ford, and may God bless all the mothers and daughters, is the wish of 
your humble servant. Yours truly, 

GEORGE HOLT. 



Amherst, July 'id, 1894. 
Mr. Worcester: 

Dear Sir: — In behalf of the delegates from Amherst, I wish to 
express our thanks for the cordial invitation to visit you, and the very 
pleasant manner in which we were entertained on the 26th. 

With the best wishes for the progressive Town of Milford, 
Respct'y yours, 

JAMES F. WESTON, 
Chairman Board of Selectmen. 



ADVERTISEnENTS. 



HISTORY 

OI= THE 

Town of nilford, 

NEW HAHPSHIRE, 

From its earliest settlement, with a genealogical 
record of flilford families, by 

O-eorgre -£i- IKa^msdell. 



PUBLISHED BY THE TOWN COMMITTEE. 

TOWfJ COiA^'TTEE G. A. Worcester, Chairman, J. E. Foster, Secre- 
tary, W. H. W. Hinds, Treasurer, W. P. Colburn, J. W. Crosby. 



HE committee would announce that the forthcoming his- 
tory of the town is now well under way and will ap- 
pear at the earliest date consistent with its careful prep- 
aration. The volume will be of the usual octavo size and 
contain not less than eight hundred pages, printed on extra 
heavy rag paper, made in Henniker especially for this work. 
The presswork and binding will be by the Republican Press 
Association, of Concord, N. H., and will recommend itself. 
The work will be embellished with two maps, thirty-six or 
more steel plate portraits of persons prominently connected 
with the town, and many views of public and private 
buildings, residences, etc. 

The edition is limited to seven hundred copies, and the 
committee guarantee copies only to advance subscribers. The 
price has been fixed at $3.00 (three dollars) per copy, bound 
in the best cloth, or $4.00 (four dollars) bound in half leather. 
Special bindings will be provided at special prices. Any in- 
formation desired will be furnished by the committee. 

W. P. Colburn has the especial charge of the genealog- 
ical matter, J. E. Foster the subscriptions and religious soci- 
eties, G. A. Worcester the illustrations, J. W. Crosby milli. 
tary matters, W. H. W. Hinds physicians and secret societies. 



D. L. Dz^piels, 



7VVKNUt=KCTURER OP 



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Crushing Tests 

Made by Prof. Rickette of The Rensse- 
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